Housing delivery forecasts becoming harder to predict, minister told

In June, Housing minister James Browne was told the time between a commencement notice being signed and a dwelling being completed is getting longer

The National Housing System Overview told Mr Browne that because of the increase in commencement notices, it has 'become more difficult to predict the likely time lag between commencement and completion and therefore to forecast delivery'. File picture

Housing minister James Browne has been warned that delays in the construction sector are making it increasingly difficult to predict when homes will be completed and to accurately forecast housing delivery.

Briefings provided to the minister and released under Freedom of Information show officials warned that housebuilding timelines are "clearly shifting" away from the previous average of between 12 and 18 months from commencement to completion.