Over one in five Clare homes are vacant, according to new figures from the CSO.
The latest publication of results from last year’s census also reveals how a spate of holiday homes in many of Clare’s coastal communities has led to some of the lowest occupancy rates in the country.
There are almost 11,800 vacant dwellings in Clare, according to newly released figures arising out of last year’s census. This amounts to a vacancy rate of 21.2%.
However, due to the high rate of holiday homes in the county – over 4,600 – this means the problem of vacancies is exacerbated in coastal communities.
Over 35% of homes are vacant in nine Clare communities, while on the census night in April of last year less than a third of homes in Liscannor, Kilkee and Lahinch were occupied.
The number of homes in Clare is up 12% in the last five years to 42,500, with a home ownership rate of 76%, above the national average.
For those in rental properties, the average weekly rent has dropped by 9 euro per week since the 2006 census, but has risen by two-euro-fifty for those renting from their local authority.
