New data from Revenue show over 8,400 homes across the Shannonside region are lying empty.
The figures were released as part of preliminary analysis captured from the Local Property Tax returns last year.
Leitrim recorded the highest number of vacant homes locally at 3,603 of which over 1,200 were noted as being holiday homes while a further 360 were up for sale.
The data reveals over 2,800 properties are empty across Roscommon with 683 undergoing refurbishment and almost 350 on the market.
Of the 2059 vacant homes in Longford 247 are in use during some holiday periods while almost 220 are for sale.
While the revenue results are at odds with preliminary census data they do not include derelict homes, which are not eligible to pay Local Property Tax.
Speaking at the launch of the research yesterday Finance Minister Pascal Donohue stated the Government is committed to addressing vacancy and dereliction as well as maximising the use of the existing housing stock.
He will now being work on the introduction of a tax on vacant homes which he hopes will come into force next year.
