Auctioneers predict only 20,000 house completions in 2010

The auctioneers Hooke and McDonald are predicting that the number of houses and apartments being built in Ireland will drop to just 20,000 in 2010.

In a report published today, the company says it expects around 27,000 dwelling units to be completed in 2009.

The figures compare to an all-time record 78,000 completions during 2007.