ESRI: 'Inevitable hit' to number of new homes built this year due to January lockdown   

The ESRI says the lockdown means Ireland will inevitably fall further behind fulfilling the demand for 30,000 new homes per year. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

There will be "an almost inevitable" hit to the number of new homes built this year amid the closure of significant parts of the construction industry, professor at the Economic and Social Research Institute, Kieran McQuinn has warned.        

The ESRI had forecast 19,600 homes would be built this year after an estimated 18,800 homes were built in 2020, and the completion of around 21,240 new homes in 2019.