Council explains why 44 Westmeath homes stand vacant

As many as 44 council-owned properties in Westmeath were vacant at the end of February, councillors learned in a document circulated to them in advance of the March meeting of Westmeath County Council.

Cllr Johnnie Penrose told officials he was “astounded” at the figure, which was contained in the Monthly Management Report, especially given the number of people in need of social housing.

“Is there a problem with the contractors or what has happened that there's 44 on the books?” he asked.

Director of services, Jackie Finney, defended the council’s performance, stating that the council’s contractors are working on “turning around” vacant dwellings for re-letting, but that there are a number of dwellings that have become free that had tenants for a long period, some of which take a long time to renovate for reletting.

“But it is a priority to get them turned around as quickly as possible,” she said.

In response to further discussion on the level of vacant properties, she said that 21 are awaiting inspection and 23 have been issued to the contractors for works.

To date in 2025, works have been carried out to 19 vacant homes.