€200m underspend in housing blamed on inflation and supply shortages

Targets for house building have been missed every year since 2020 but this year's shortfall is being blamed on new factors

Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien: Housing target shortfall is partly explained to delays in some construction projects due to challenges of price and energy inflation, as well as supply chain disruption.

Building inflation, energy costs and a shortage of supplies were to blame for a €200m capital underspend by the Department of Housing between April and June, it can be revealed.

At a time of a housing emergency, targets for house building set by Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien have been missed since 2020 and the latest numbers show the spending was 28% behind profile at the end of June.