Figures show Government faces its 'ultimate housing test' this year, experts say

'If we don’t see an improvement in the first half of 2026, then it’s certain that 2026 will be another year of missed Government targets.'

Figures from the Central Statistics Office show just 36,284 new homes were built last year. File photo

The Government faces its “ultimate housing test” to have at least 20,000 new homes completed in the first half of this year if it is to make up for falling far short of the target it set for 2025, according to housing experts who were reacting to figures from the Central Statistics Office showing just 36,284 new homes were built last year. 

While that is a 20.4% increase on 2024 and the highest number since the series began in 2011, it is significantly short of the 41,000 the Government had originally targeted for 2025. It is also way off the 50,000-60,000 that numerous experts have said are needed to meet demand as prices climb ever higher.