Almost 1,000 households in Galway have been on a waiting list for social housing for longer than seven years.
The 2021 Summary of Social Housing Assessments shows that there were 502 households in the county waiting longer than 7 year as of last November, and another 457 in Galway City.
There are just under 3,000 households in total qualified for social housing in Galway, with figures in both the city and county increasing last year.
There were 1,641 households in Galway County in need of social housing as of last November, with a further 1,263 in the city.
This is a 5.5 percent increase on the figures for 2020 in Galway County, and a 2.4 increase in the city.
However, that figure has fallen by 62 percent in Galway City since 2016, the report claims, with the county seeing a 21 percent decline in the number of qualified households.
Nationwide there are 59,247 households qualified for social housing according to the report, a 4.3 percent decline on the previous year.
Almost a third of the applicant are employed, either in full, part-time, or self-employment.
Minister for Housing and Local Government Darragh O’Brien said “Over 23,300 households had their housing needs met in 2021 – this is despite the very significant impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on delivery.”
“It’s important to remember that most residential construction was halted for a 13-week period from January to April.”
“We must not, and will not, lose sight of the fact that there are still just over 59,000 households who are relying on us for the provision of housing support.”
He added that the government is watching the situation in Ukraine closely, as the Russian invasion is having “significant impacts” on all sectors of society.
“As we ramp up all types of housing delivery this year we will be wary of any impact the war will have.”
