Housing remains 'largest stumbling block' in Mid-West as full employment exacerbates demand

Across Limerick, just 43% of homes sold last year went to owner occupiers, with supply shortages posing a "serious risk" to businesses in the region

In the rental market, average prices have risen by 37.5% in Limerick city since the pandemic, representing an additional annual spend of €5,472 for new tenants.

As Ireland's Mid-West inches closer to full employment, housing remains "one of the largest stumbling blocks," in the region, with a sharp decrease in planning permissions granted in Tipperary and increasingly low rates of homes for sale in Limerick and Clare going to owner-occupiers.

With just 4.4% of the region out of work, businesses are increasingly hiring from international talent pools. This is according to a new economic report by Limerick Chamber, which has reported an 82% rise in the number of work permits issued last year.