Cork city slightly above national average for housing delivery, new data shows 

Cork city has been named the seventh best-performing local authority area in Ireland for housing delivery during the first six months of 2026, by Hardware Association Ireland (HAI).

A newly-published Housing Delivery League Table by HAI places Louth at the top, with 6.6 homes created per 1,000 residents between January and June. 

Laois took second place with 5.2 and Kildare took the third with 4.6 homes per 1,000 residents, while Cork city tied with Wexford at seventh place, each with 3.9 homes created per 1,000 residents.

Cork county finished on par with the national average, each recording an overall rate of 3.6 homes per 1,000 residents.

Nationally, nine local authority areas recorded a housing delivery rate above the national average, three areas matched it, and 19 fell below it.

Hardware Association Ireland analysis includes both new-build homes and previously vacant or derelict properties rejuvenated and returned to residential use.

Martin Markey, chief executive officer of Hardware Association Ireland, said: “This league table, which we will produce twice per year, provides an important snapshot of housing delivery. 

“While many local authorities are making strong progress, there remains a need for greater consistency and ambition in meeting housing demand.

“For local authorities that are challenged in providing new housing, there is ample scope to provide homes by rejuvenating empty homes and above-the-shop properties.”

Last year, a report from Hardware Association Ireland estimated that 1,830 over-the-shop units in Cork and the same amount of empty homes could be brought into use as housing. 

The report showed that, nationally, there are 40,000 units that could be made available through increased incentives for property owners, and HAI called for the introduction of a waiver on capital gains tax for over-the-shop properties.