The Central Statistics Office reported that the number of homes built this year is slightly behind last year’s figures, with 21,634 properties completed in the first nine months compared to 22,325 in 2023. Economists predict similar housing output for this year as last, despite government hopes for 40,000 homes.
In the third quarter, new dwelling completions rose 6%, with housing estates up 23%, apartments down 7%, and single dwellings falling 5%. Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty criticized the government’s housing plan, calling it “in tatters”, but Minister Darragh O’Brien insisted on record home building numbers.
O’Brien defended the government’s ability to scale up delivery, pointing to a significant budget for housing. However, Labour leader Ivana Bacik criticized the Housing For All plan for falling short in addressing rising house prices, rents, evictions, and homelessness.
Despite differing views on housing targets, the government is working on revised goals to meet the country’s growing housing needs.
By: Paul Cunningham, Micheál Lehane