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Vacant properties and above-the-shop units could increase housing output

There is a  "huge opportunity to rejuvenate empty properties and above-the-shop units around the country", said an industry expert.
Aoife Daly
Aoife Daly

16.37 18 Mar 2025


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Vacant properties and above-th...

Vacant properties and above-the-shop units could increase housing output

Aoife Daly
Aoife Daly

16.37 18 Mar 2025


Share this article


Amidst the Irish housing crisis, could there be an alternative solution aside from the 40,000 promised annual new builds?

The Hardware Association of Ireland (HAI) believes vacant properties and above-the-shop units could provide an answer.

Right now there are 20,000 above-the-shop properties ready for use which have the potential to house families.

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Chief executive of the HAI Martin Markey told The Pat Kenny Show that there is a "huge opportunity to rejuvenate empty properties and above-the-shop units around the country".


"Between empty homes, as in single houses, and above-the-shop property units, there's about 40,000 units available to us," he said.

"At the moment, the vacant homes grant and the appetite for that is huge.

"We think it's going to about 20,000 [applications], it's at about 11,000 at the moment.

"We would say we will see similar in terms of above-the-shop properties."

You can listen back to the full episdoe here:

Main image: A housing estate under construction. Image: David Creedon / Alamy


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Above Shop Living Hardware Association Of Ireland Housing Housing Crisis Vacant Homes Grant Vacant Properties

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