Housing output to fall for first time in 18 years

The number of houses and apartments being built in Ireland is set to fall for the first time since 1989 this year, according to a leading firm of quantity surveyors.

In its latest Summer Review of the Construction Industry, Davis Langdon PKS predicts that 75,000 to 80,000 housing units will have been constructed by the end of the year, down from 93,000 last year.

The company says this will lead to an overall decline of 5% in construction output.

Despite the fall, Davis Langdon PKS is also stressing that demand for new housing remains strong and will continue to support significant activity in this sector.