Index shows rise in residential building starts

There has been a 40% increase in residential building starts in the first eight months of the year, when compared to the same time in 2013.

Planning applications are also up, by 12%, for the same period.

Monaghan, Cork, Westmeath, Donegal and Sligo saw the highest increases in construction starts.

The figures come from the National Housing Construction Index, compiled by Link2Plans.