Number of new houses and apartments up 24%

The number of new houses built so far this year is up almost 24% on last year, according to new figures from the Department of the Environment.

Publishing the figures today, Junior Minister Noel Ahern said it appeared that the number of houses and apartments being built would exceed all records by the end of the year.

Mr Ahern also said he was concerned by the increasing number of people who buy houses from the plans and sell them on immediately.

He said these investors add nothing to the economy and were only pushing up prices for people looking for a place to live.