Drop in skilled trades stalling Ireland's housing goals, report says

In the 12 months to October 2025, 23,599 housing units began construction

The Banking & Payments Federation Ireland report shows the total number of homes completed this year is expected to reach around 35,000 units, with almost 33,000 new dwellings completed in the 12 months ending September 2025, up from about 31,700 during the same period in 2024. File picture: Larry Cummins

There has been a modest rise in new home completions over the past year, but the number of construction starts has remained subdued, and homes are taking longer to build.

The latest Housing Monitor report from Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) shows that commencement activity is at only slightly higher levels than in 2016. However, the number of people employed in the construction industry in skilled trades has fallen by around 35% since 2007, with significant gaps in key trades such as plastering, tiling, painting and plumbing.