The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has published a National Planning Framework implementation setting out new housing growth requirement guidelines for planning authorities.
Under the new guidelines, Meath County Council has been given a target of providing 2,942 new houses annually from 2025 to 2034, and 1,362 new houses annually from 2035 to 2040.
Meath County Council has commenced work immediately on an implementation plan and will assess key locations, variation timelines, and infrastructure options in the coming weeks, as well as engage with Elected Members, to deliver housing for the people of County Meath.
In May 2025, there were 2,945 homes under construction in Meath, while the county also saw the highest number of commencements in the Eastern and Midlands Region in Q1 2025. Census 2022 figures showed that Meath had the second highest level of growth in the country at 13.2% and this progress has been reflected in the Council's strategy for Housing.
Meath County Council Chief Executive Kieran Kehoe said: "We are well aware of the urgency of the national housing crisis and will immediately start the process of varying our county and area plans so that we are in an excellent place to deliver over 36,000 new houses by 2040.
"Earlier this month, statistics supplied by the Department showed we delivered 169% of our social housing new-build delivery targets from 2022 to 2024 and this was achieved through careful planning, investment in key infrastructure and a steadfast commitment to our citizens.
"The targets may change, but our focus has not, and we will continue to address the housing challenges of the people in Meath."