Building of homes on rise in four counties

The decline in housing construction continues but there are signs of an improvement emerging in a number of counties, particularly in Dublin.

According to the latest National Housing Construction Index, applications fell by 10% and commencements were down 14% on the previous year.

The index is compiled by Link2Plans, who analysed every planning application and project commencement across the county over the first six months of this year.

It found planning applications across the country rose from January to May but slipped back in June and are falling again.

Only four counties show- ed planning application increases — Kildare (10%), Dublin (7%), Carlow (4%) and Longford (4%). The number is up on the same period last year when only three counties saw increases.

The largest percentage drop in applications occurred in Offaly (-37%), Leitrim (-31%) and Sligo (-28%).

Project commencements were up in four counties — Dublin (9%), Monaghan (10%), Wexford (19%) and Roscommon (41%). Counties with the greatest percentage drop in commencements were Westmeath (-30%), Limerick (-77%) and Waterford (-32%).

In some counties there was a complete performance reversal, both for applications and commencements.

Kildare, which had the highest percentage drop (-41%) for applications last year, had the highest percentage increase this year at 10%. Leitrim also reversed its performance. It had the highest percentage increase in applications (14%) last year but now has the second highest percentage drop (-31%).

Building starts also revealed shifts. Westmeath had the biggest reversal – from a 13% commencement increase last year to a 30% drop this year.

Link2Plans managing director Danny O’Shea said big changes in activity could be partly explained by weather conditions early in the year: “It will be interesting to see if the dry weather experienced throughout June and July will see the next edition of the index register an increase in project commencements.”