Census figures reveal house building needs acceleration

Housing development will have to be ramped up over the coming years that's according to Mayor of Navan and local cllr Eddie Fennessy following the release of census figures that revealed that Navan is Ireland's fourth largest town with a population of 33,886.

The report also found that just 32 per cent of people residing in Meath were born in the royal county.

"I'm not surprised to see Navan occupy 4th position on the largest towns list," said cllr Fennessy. "We've experienced massive growth over the past few decades and I expect that growth to continue well into the future.

"A growing population puts pressure on existing infrastructure. As a local authority we need to plan accordingly. And in fairness to Meath County Council they've been ahead of the curve. Investment has been secured for a number of key infrastructural projects around Navan. Those projects will absorb much of that pressure and facilitate further expansion.

"My biggest concern is always housing. There's a lot of construction around the town but it isn't relieving pressure in the housing sector. If we're to meet the demand of a growing population housing development will need to be seriously ramped up over the coming years."

The Mayor of Navan believes Dublin natives may account for many of those people who moved here from the capital in recent years.

"The statistic that surprised most people is that only 32 per cent of people in the county are Meath born," he said. "I'd be interested in finding out from where the next highest percentage came. I could hazard a guess and say Dublin. We've had a massive influx of people move here from the capital, my wife and her family were some of them.

"It will probably take a census or two, but I expect the imbalance to correct itself. The children of families who moved here to set up home are now having children of their own. Those children will be recorded as Meath born."

Other figures revealed that the almost 5.1 million people who were here on the night of 3rd April 2022, one in five were born outside the State.

Almost three quarters of those born here still reside in the county of their birth and people under-15 or over-65 are most likely to live in the county of their birth.

The figure is highest for Cork, where 72 per cent of all residents have spent their lives inside the county boundary.

In contrast, just 32 per cent of Meath residents were born in the county, while Dublin has the highest percentage of residents (25 per cent) born in another county.

Drogheda was found to be the town with the largest population in the State, with 44,135 people recorded there on the night the survey was carried out.

Meanwhile, Three Navan housing estates - Boyne View, Gort Fionnbarra, and Millbrook - were ‘taken in charge’ by Meath County Council at a recent meeting of Navan Municipal Council.

The Mayor of Navan, Cllr Eddie Fennessy said “I’m delighted for the residents of Gort Fionbarra, Boyne View and Millbrook. Estates that are not under the council’s charge are left in a state of limbo and it is impossible to have up-grading works carried out to road, footpath and street light infrastructure.

“Completion of this process allows the council to engage with local residents and to address their concerns. It is a good move and I welcome it.”