The west of Ireland and Ulster counties have considerably more vacant shops, offices and factories than Dublin and the rest of Leinster, a survey of properties nationwide has shown.

The amount of vacant business premises remains “stubbornly high” despite the recovery of the economy, with Connacht vastly above the national average, a new economic report has found.

The construction of new homes was up by a third in the 12 months up to June, but a substantial increase in building activity is needed.

The construction of new homes was up by a third in the 12 months up to June, but a substantial increase in building activity is needed.

Returning emigrants could provide a much-needed regional jobs boost as new research suggests a continuing division in the pace of recovery across the country.

The price of homes has fallen nationwide for the first time in 10 months.

Kerry has the lowest number of vacant commercial properties in the country followed by Wexford and Westmeath, while Munster tops the provincial table with the fewest number of vacancies.

An increasing number of businesses are closing down in Limerick.

Cork recorded the highest number of new buildings in the country last year — but its total was still 21% less than a year earlier.

Almost 24,000 commercial units are vacant out of a total of about 226,500 business premises across the country.

A total of 7,330 new residential and commercial buildings were identified across the country in the first six months of 2011, according to figures released today by GeoDirectory.

THERE was a 23% drop in the number of new buildings completed last year to 17,587.