Housing

Galway County – Unfinished Estates with no Household Charge

Owners of properties in the following County Galway estates will avoid the €100 Household Charge for 2012 because they are classed as unfinished estates.  More details about the Household Charge .

Homes on two categories of estates will qualify for a Household Charge waiver in 2012 – these are :-
Category 3 -  where  a receiver has not been appointed and the developer is still in place but is effectively inactive;

Category 4 unfinished estates -  where  the development has been effectively abandoned and is posing serious problems for residents.

Note : – owners  of homes on these estates are supposed to  register for the  Household charge and claim the waiver for 2012.
Ard An Mhulinn Ballyvaughan Road Kinvara

Ard Na Speire Moycullen Road Spiddal

Bealach na Ceartan Ballyroe Williamstown

Bealach na Gaoithe Galway Road., Killaloontey Tuam

Bruach An Chaladh Dominic St. Portumna

Caoin Dara Crosheen Ballindereen

Carrig Gheal Galway Rd. Loughrea

Carrig Linn Danesfort Rd. Loughrea

Carrig Mor Danesfort Rd. Loughrea

Cearnog Nua Church Street Moycullen

Cedar Court off Glennamaddy Road Williamstown

Choill Clocha Oranhill Oranmore

Ciislean Riada Clarinbridge

Clochran Kilcloghans Tuam

Clos An Iarla Dominic St. Portumna

Clos An Iarnroid Ballinasloe Ballinasloe

Cois Furain Cosmona Rd. Loughrea

Coolhaven Galway Rd. Gort

Corr an Tochair Dunmore Road Williamstown

Cottage Hill Athenry Rd Loughrea

Cricket Court Dunmore Road Tuam

Cuirt Na hAbhann Oranmore Road Claregalway

Danesfort Court Danesfort Rd. Loughrea

Dun Na Ri Corofin Road Gort

Eallagh Galway Road Headford

Forest Gate/Glade St Josephs Rd. Portumna

Garrai An Droichid Killora Craughwell

Garrai Eoinin Bothar Bui, Knock South Inveran

Gleann Mhuiris Oranmore Road Claregalway

Glynndale Court Corrolough Williamstown

Kilcummin Fields Estate Main Street Oughterard

Leas Na Greige Rossaveel Road Oughterard

Lios Na Si Bridge St Portumna

Lios Garbh Ballinasloe

Lios Na Ndaoner Danesfort Rd. Loughrea

Lorro Gate Prospect Athenry

Lough Eala St Brigids Rd. Portumna

Oran Island Maree Road Oranmore

Pairc na gCon Newbridge Road Mountbellew

Pairc Na Ri Park Rd Ballydavid South Athenry

Plan Ref 011325 Westport Road Clifden

Plan Ref 041866 (Craughwell Town Centre) Main Street Craughwell

Plan Ref 05/2498 (Craugh Tn Centre) Main St. Craughwell

Plan Ref 071155 Mountain Road Moycullen

Plan Ref 091446 Galway Road Moycullen

Rath Glas Kilgarve Ballinasloe

Redington Woods Clarinbridge Clarinbridge

The Fairways/An Mhinleog Tuam Road Dunmore

The Orchard Main Street Moylough

The Willows Raheen Rd. Athenry

Tir an Choir Vicars Choral Tuam

Uilin Church Street Moycullen

Woodview Crescent Moylough Road Clonbern

Saorvew – Freeview – RTE Digital TV in Ireland

Saorview is  RTÉ’s free to air digital terrestial television (DTT) service.
EU rules mean that the current analogue ( ariel based TV )  signals have to be turned  off in October 2012.
Saorview is a mixed language word – with Saor meaning Free . Pronounced Sair or Seer . (They couldn’t use the name Freeview – because that is in use in the UK and would confuse people.)
The equivalent digital TV service called Freeview – in the UK has been running since 2002.

The old UK channels using analogue signals were starting to get switched off in September 2011 – and many Irish residents who pick up BBC and ITV from Wales or Northern Ireland via an aerial will see those channels dissappear soon if they have not already done so.

The minority (340,000) of  households  in Ireland still use their TV ariel for watching TV  . The switch to digital TV will hardly affect the majority of the country’s consumers, who receive their TV from digital providers such as Sky (625,000) or UPC (375,000)

There will be 5 “new”  digital channels – RTÉ Two HD, RTÉ Aertel Digital, RTÉ jr, RTÉ One + 1 and RTÉ News Now.
In the UK – there are dozens of channels on their Freeview setup.

What Will You Need  to Buy ?

Set Top Box

The Digital TV  Saorview  signal can be received on all types of televisions from most aerials using a set-top box.
There are Saorview approved set top boxes – retailing at about €100. But any UK Freeview HD set top box will work.

Aerials

Some households may need to adjust or replace their aerial:  expect to pay about  €150.
Don’t be conned into paying for a new aerial if you don’t need one. If you currently can receive TV3 through your aerial then your aerial is most likely fine and is pointing in the right direction. You should not need to do anything with your aerial.

2. If you currently receive RTÉ One, RTÉ Two and TG4  through your aerial but do not receive TV3 then your aerial is most likely fine but for some homes it may be pointing in the wrong direction.

3. If you receive only RTÉ One and RTÉ Two through your aerial and do not receive TV3 and TG4 then you will probably need a new UHF aerial pointed at the best transmission site for your area.

Televisions

You don’t need a new TV – but If you are planning on buying a new TV – you should consider  a  television with Saorview built in or look for Freeview HD.
The 340,000 households that currently just view TV via an ariel – will be made up of a high proportion of elderly , rural dwellers and those on lower incomes.

Freeview televisions from the UK will not work with Saorview. But Freeview HD televisions should be able to pick up the Saorview signal.

Any  Television with an MPEG4 digital tuner should work. – Freeview HD uses MPEG4.

By October 2012 SAORVIEW should be accessible to 98% of the population.  Approximately 2% of the population will not be able to receive the SAORVIEW service.
RTÉ is currently in the process of also developing and testing a free-to-air satellite service, SAORSAT, which will make it possible for 100% of the population to access Irish free-to-air digital television channels and services. This will provide coverage to the homes not covered by SAORVIEW.

Unfinished Estates County Clare

This is the list of Category 3  and 4 Unfinished estates in County Clare  that are to be granted a waiver from the €100 Euro Household Charge in 2012.

All Owners of homes on this list will still need to register and claim the waiver on the householdcharge.ie website.

Estates Granted a Waiver
Aisling Shanvogh Ennis
Bridge Road Apartments Bridge Road (West Of Spa) Lisdoonvarna
Bruachlan Westbury Limerick City Area
Carrig Midhe Knockballymeath Corbally
Chuirt an Droichead Main Street Sixmilebridge
Church Fields Newtown Road Clonlara
Cluainn Aoibheann Ballycaseymore Shannon
Cregg Beach Miltown Malbay Road Lahinch
Creggaun na Hilla Hill View Clarecastle
Gleann Cora Ballycar Road Newmarket-on-Fergus
Gort na Coille Ferry Road Kilrush
Moinin Dough Kilkee
Orchard Drive Lissane Clarecastle
Pairc na Coille Drumbiggle Road Ennis
Plan Ref 04/808 Portuman Road Whitegate
Plan Ref 05/2054 Bodyke Road Tuamgraney
Plan Ref 05/876 Main Street Kilkishen
Plan Ref 06/3002 Scarriff Road Mountshannon
Plan Ref 06/3147 Dun Ri Bunratty
Roslevan Square Tulla Road Ennis
Shantraud Woods Clonara Road Killaloe
Sli an Fheargais Quay Road Clarecastle
Tullyglass Lowlands Tullyglass Shannon

Unfinished Estates County Cavan Avoid the Household Charge

This is the list of Category 3 & $ Unfinished estates in Cavan that are to be granted a waiver from the Household Charge in 2012.

All Owners will still need to register and claim the waiver on the householdcharge.ie website.

Read more about the Household Charge.

County Cavan Unfinished Estate List

1-47 The Beeches-Drumgola Wood Drumlark & Latt Cavan Cavan

40-54 The Birches-Drumgola Wood Drumlark & Latt Cavan Cavan

Abhainn Dubh Rosehill Mullagh Cavan

An Bonnan Buí Way Tuam Blacklion Cavan

An Cuinn Rantavan, Fartagh Rd. Mullagh Cavan

An Tor Aonarach Rocks Rd., Dunaree Kingscourt Cavan

Ard Aoibhinn Mullagh Rd., Ballaghanea Virginia Cavan

Ard Dun Lisanisky Kingscourt Cavan

Ard na Scoil Crosserlough Rd., Kilnaleck Cavan

Ardan Na Corbish Corkish Bailieborough Cavan

Ashbrook Retirement Village Moynalty Rd. Mullagh Cavan

Ashbrooke Moynehall Cavan Cavan

Ashgrove Garrymore Ballinagh Cavan

Ashgrove Close Crosserlough Rd., Derrylurgan Ballyjamesduff Cavan

Bawn Villas Kilsob Bawnboy Cavan

Bellamont View Clones Rd. Cootehill Cavan

Bramble Lane Dublin Rd., Cavan Cavan

Brookville Fartagh Rd., Rantavan Mullagh Cavan

Carraig Beag Cootehill Rd., Cavan Cavan

Carrickleck View Lissaturrin Kingscourt Cavan

Castleforde Ballyconnell House, Annagh Ballyconnell Cavan

Cherry Grove-Drumgola Wood Drumlark & Latt Cavan Cavan

Cherrymount Virginia Rd. Ballyjamesduff Cavan

Church View Town Park Ballyhaise Cavan

Clankee Carrickmacross Rd., Shercock Cavan

Clements Town Clones Rd. Cootehill Cavan

Cluain Dara Bailieborough Rd., Kingscourt Cavan

Cluain Mullach Moynalty Rd Mullagh Cavan

Cnoic Alainn Clones Rd. Cootehill Cavan

Cois Na hAbhann Cootehill Rd., Cavan Cavan

Creighan Manor Creighan & Burgess Acre Cavan Cavan

Cul Lana Coolkill Kilnaleck Cavan

Daisyhill Manor Mullaghduff Ballyconnell Cavan

Dartry Pk. Magheranure Cootehill Cavan

Derryoak Derryginney Ballyconnell Cavan

Diamond Court Corporation Lands Belturbet Cavan

Drumalae Manor Drumalee Cavan Cavan

Drumany Fort Kilnaglare Upper Butlersbridge Cavan

Drumlin Drive Cavan Rd. Cootehill Cavan

Drumlin Manor Kingscourt Rd. Bailieborough Cavan

Dun Mullach Fartagh Rd Mullagh Cavan

Dun Na Carraige Rocks Rd., Dunaree Kingscourt Cavan

Dunancory Demesne Ballyjamesduff Rd., Virginia Cavan

Eagalwood Drive Carrickmacross Rd., Shercock Cavan

Eastboro Kingscourt Rd. Bailieborough Cavan

Erindale Lissaturrin Kingscourt Cavan

Erne View Apartments Castlehill & Patrick St. Belturbet Cavan

Fairgreen Park Main Street Mullagh Cavan

Farnham lodge Farnham Demesne Farnham Cavan

Foalies Bridge Foalies Belturbet Cavan

Fort Village & Ringview Gortnakesh Cavan Cavan

Fortview Oldcastle Rd. Ballyjamesduff Cavan

Glen Alainn Moynalty Rd Mullagh Cavan

Glenwood Park Tullybuck TD Butlersbridge Cavan

Griffith Court Griffith Ave., Cavan Rd. Cootehill Cavan

Hampton Court Cootehill Rd., Cavan Cavan

Hawthorn Rakeevan Bailieborough Cavan

Kemton Court Drumalee Cavan Cavan

Killians Court Fartagh Rd Mullagh Cavan

Lakeland Close Swellan Lower Cavan Cavan

Lisgrey gardens Virginia Rd Bailieborough Cavan

Lismeen hills Virginia Rd., Dublin Rd. Ballyjamesduff Cavan

Lismore View Crossdoney Crossdoney Cavan

Loreto Wood Drumlark / Drumalee Road, Drumalee TD. Cavan Cavan

Mulberry Manor Corkish, Kingscourt Rd Bailieborough Cavan

Mullach Mor Fartagh Rd Mullagh Cavan

Oak Park Rantavan, Fartagh Rd. Mullagh Cavan

Oriel Lodge Church Street Belturbet Cavan

Pine Crescent-Drumgola Wood Drumlark & Latt Cavan Cavan

Plan Ref 02 1625 Kinnypottle Cavan Cavan

Plan Ref 03 560 Town Centre Virginia Cavan

Plan Ref 04 1398 Kells Rd. Kingscourt Cavan

Plan Ref 041755 Lisdrumskea Shercock Cavan

Plan Ref 041966 Money Milltown Cavan

Plan Ref 042441 Tuam Blacklion Cavan

Plan Ref 05 374 Main Street Mullagh Cavan

Plan Ref 07663 Cloverhill Bailieborough Cavan

Plan Ref 081528 Kells Rd. Kingscourt Cavan

Plan Ref 001889, 0928 Tuam Blacklion Cavan

Plan Ref 03308, 042722 Snugborough rd Ballyconnell Cavan

Plan Ref 042363, 04827 Willow Avenue Belturbet Cavan

Plan Ref 07501, 08357 Cavan Rd. Portaliffe / Townsparks Td. Killeshandra Cavan

Rahardrun Bailieborough Rd Virginia Cavan

Railway View Corporation Lands Belturbet Cavan

Rakaeevan Heights Rakeevan Bailieborough Cavan

Ridgway Hall Cavan Rd Virginia Cavan

River Cresent Cavan Rd Virginia Cavan

Riverrun Loughdooley Belturbet Cavan

Rockfield Rocks Rd., Dunaree Kingscourt Cavan

Rocklands Cootehill Rd., Cavan Cavan

Roscolgan Oldtown Cavan Cavan

Shamrock Drive Bailieborough Rd., Kingscourt Cavan

Shrewsbury Kilconney Belturbet Cavan

Slí McNean Tuam Blacklion Cavan

Slí na Coille Kilconney Belturbet Cavan

Sliabh Rosann Rosehill Mullagh Cavan

St. Killian Virginia Rd Mullagh Cavan

Station Lane Swellan Lower Cavan Cavan

Swift Brook Ballyjamesduff Rd., Virginia Cavan

The Elms Swellan Lower Cavan Cavan

The Gallops Lat Cavan Cavan

The Lawn Bawnboy Bawnboy Cavan

The Ramparts Bailieborough Rd., Rahardrum Virginia Cavan

Tullach Ard Dublin Rd., Virginia Cavan

Unfinished Ghost Estates and the Household Charge

We are still waiting for the list of unfinished estates that will be exempt from the 2012 Household Charge.
The total number of estates is expected to be less than 1300. The Irish Independent seems to think it will be less than 300 estates.

It is important to note – that even if your house is in one of the infamous Unfinished Estates – you still need to register for the Household Charge and then claim the exemption. If you don’t register you could be fined.

If you live in a dwelling that is not permanently attached to the ground – i.e a boat or a caravan – you do not need to register it for the household tax.

More details about Household Charge and Exemptions Here

Where are the Lowest House Prices in Ireland

A recent DAFT report  listed the average asking prices for houses  in the first 3 months of 2011.
The figures are given in the table below – for 4 Bedroomed Houses.
County Leitrim had the lowest average prices and Co.  Roscommon had the next lowest.

The average asking price of a 4 bedroomed house in  Leitrim was €179000. In County Roscommon it was €181000.

Take a look at some bargain properties here -
Detached 5 Bedroomed Bungalows under €200k

You couldn’t buy a site and build a 5 bedroomed house for that price!

As expected – the  most expensive  area was Dublin  – with South County Dublin prices just over three times higher than prices in Leitrim.
The highest prices outside Dublin were in Wicklow, Kildare and Cork.

Carrick on Suir – another bad Tipperary Town?

Carrick-on-Suir was the fourth worst town in our chart of the worst place to live in Ireland .
Based on census 2006 information we have compiled a top 20 list of the best and worst places to live in  Ireland. Of course people will disagree with these positions – but they are based on facts and figures like unemployment, housing, lone parents and education.At the 2006 census  – the population of Carrick-on-Suir was 5906 .The unemployment rate was 9.59% -  this compares badly with a National Average of 5.92% and was the 6th highest rate of unemployment in Ireland
In Carrick-on-Suir – 6.66% of the workforce were unable to work because of disability or ill health – which is  over the national average of 4.71% .
Of those people in work – the largest proportion are employed in manufacturing (20% of the workforce) .
Lone parent households in Carrick-on-Suir- make up 26.86% of all households. This is the 5th highest in Ireland and about 25% above the National average of 19.29%

Local Authority rented homes make up 15.57% of the dwelling units in Carrick-on-Suir – the ninth highest percentage in Ireland.
Rented homes make up 34.45% of all homes in Carrick-on-Suir – slightly above the average for Ireland of 28.1%.
28% of occupied houses in Carrick-on-Suir are owned outright – with no mortgage outstanding – the same as the average for Ireland as a whole.

Heating: 10.93% of all dwellings in Carrick-on-Suir have no central heating – which is aroud the same as the rest of the country (10.22%).
I.T. : 40.98% of households own personal computers in Carrick-on-Suir – compared to 53.3% nationally. Only 13.6% had broadband at the last census – much lower than the Irish average at the time of 20.18% . Also – 67.4% of homes had no internet access at all in Carrick-on-Suir – compared to the average of 51%

Education : 22.43% of the people living in Carrick-on-Suir – only went as far as primary school or had no formal education at all. This is very close to 40% above the national average of 16.72%.
People with a third level degree or a higher qualification – make up just 6.76% of the Carrick-on-Suir workforce – which is less than half the national average of 16.57%

Longford – Second Worst Place to Live in Ireland

We have carried out detailed analysis of census statistics from all the towns in Ireland with more than 1500 people. Based on that information we have compiled a top twenty of the best and worst towns in Ireland.

Longford Town came out second worst (just behind Rathnew).

At the last census in 2006 – the population of Longford Town was 8836
Unemployment was 11.14% the highest in Ireland at the time and almost double the – National Average of 5.92%)
5.5% of the workforce are unable to work because of disability or ill health – which is also more than the national average of 4.71%
Of those working – the majority work in manufacturing or sales (25% of the workforce) .

Lone parent households -make up 27.12% of those in Longford – which is the third highest in Ireland just behind Tipperary and Cashel .
Local Authority rented homes make up 19.3% of the dwelling units in Longford – the second highest in Ireland just behind Rathnew. Rented homes make up 47% of housing units in Longford – the most in all the towns in the survey and way above the average of 28.1%.
22.3% of homes in Longford are owned outright – with no mortgage outstanding . This compares with an average of 28% across Ireland as a whole.
Residents of Traveller ethnic origin make up 4.6% of Longford’s population – the eighth highest percentage in any town over 10000 population.

Central Heating – 17.92% of all dwellings in Longford have no central heating – which is 70% worse than the average for the country as a whole (10.22%).

Education : 20% of the people living in Longford – who have completed their education  – only went as far as primary school or had no formal education at all. This is about 25% above the national average of 16.72%

Community involvement in Longford is about the same as the average for the country . In Longford 15.49 % of the over 15s carry out some sort of voluntary work compared to the national average of 15.42%

The percentage of retired people though – is below the average of 11.05% at 8.84%.

Top Ten Towns for Home Ownership

Owner Occupiers
In Ireland just over 28% of all housing is rented – either from Private landlords or local Authorities. Seventy two percent of homes ore owned. This is similar to 2004 figures from the UK of 30% of rented dwellings. According to figures from the Irish 2006 census – for towns with populations over 1500 – the town in Ireland with the largest percentage of homeowners is Portmarnock.
Portmarnock has 80.34% of housing units occupied by the owner.Top Ten towns for percentage of Home ownership in Ireland:
Portmarnock 80.33 %
Malahide 78.05
Enniskerry 77.71
Leixlip 76.1
Celbridge 75.86
Dunboyne 75.49
Ratoath 74.78
Donabate 74.12
Annacotty 73.07
Stamullen 72.39

Lonley and Alone in Dungloe ?

Dungloe  (An Clochán Liath) in Donegal is the town in Ireland with the highest percentage of single person households. Census figures show that 40.37% of households in Dungloe are occupied by just one person. (174 out of 431)

Other towns with high percentages of people living alone:

Swinford, Mayo 40.14
Manorhamilton, Leitrim 35.34
Foxford, Mayo 33.64
Boyle, Roscommon 33.47
Killorglin, Kerry 33.38
Ballybunion, Kerry 33.15
Castlerea, Roscommon 33.10
Kanturk, Cork 33.06
Kiltimagh, Mayo 32.85