Slight rise in number of homes built but activity must ramp up to meet targets 

Data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows that 5,938 new homes were built in Ireland across January, February and March. This was a 2% rise on the same three months last year. Picture: PA

The number of homes built in the first quarter of 2025 rose slightly compared to the same time in 2024, but activity would have to ramp up considerably if the Government was to meet its targets for this year, new figures have shown.

Data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows that 5,938 new homes were built in Ireland across January, February and March. This was a 2% rise on the same three months last year.

The full-year target for homes built in Ireland is 41,000, with the first quarter of the year figure just 14% of this target, although completion figures do usually ramp up towards the end of a year.

Experts and industry figures have said that it is unlikely this target will be reached, and have even raised fears that the total number of new homes will lie nearer the 30,000-mark reached in 2024, which is far below what is required.

While the number of homes “commenced” in Ireland has been touted by the Government as showing a strong pipeline of housing in the process of being built, the Department of Finance has previously said these figures cannot be used as an accurate predictor of how many homes will be built.

New Dwelling Completions in Q1 2025 up 2% from same quarter in 2024https://t.co/cyWfsVxGUK#CSOIreland #Ireland #Housing #HousingConstruction #HouseBuilding #NewDwellings #PropertyPrices #HousePrices #PlanningPermissions #IrishBusiness #BusinessStatistics #BusinessNews pic.twitter.com/mcwVpEv5qM

— Central Statistics Office Ireland (@CSOIreland) April 24, 2025

The CSO said that apartment completions in Q1 of 2025 jumped by 13.5% to 1,781 units. There were a further 3,020 homes built as part of a scheme or estate, which was down 1.7%. The number of one-off homes built stood at 1,137, also down 3.5% on last year.

Six of the eight regions in Ireland saw a rise in the first quarter of this year compared to last. The only decreases were in the Midlands and the South-east.

In Cork City and its suburbs, 280 homes were built in the first quarter of the year, compared to 1,504 in Dublin city and its suburbs, 90 in Galway city and 57 in Limerick.

The new data comes after figures published on Wednesday showed that the Government missed its social and affordable housing targets in 2024. Furthermore, fewer homes were delivered last year than in 2023, which is the first time its delivery of these kinds of homes has gone backward.

Housing minister James Browne acknowledged the shortfall, but said the downturn has not been “as pronounced as may have been feared” given the fall-off in private housing delivery.

What's your view on this issue?

You can tell us here

Ber Grogan, the executive director of Simon Communities of Ireland, said she was “beyond disappointed” to see the Government miss their social housing targets.

She said that, during the general election, the Simon Communities had called for 15,000 social houses to be built each year from 2026.

“We are nowhere near that necessary target,” said Ms Grogan.