51% fall in house building from 2014

There has been a sharp nationwide decline in activity in the residential construction sector, but the overall trend remains positive.

Figures from the National Housing Construction Index released yesterday show despite a 51% decline in the number of project commencements between January and April this year, compared to the same period last year, activity levels are still above 2013 figures.

The index also shows planning applications are up by almost 20% in the same period, with double-digit growth recorded in 23 counties.