The latest data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) reveals that 6,014 new homes were completed in Ireland during the first quarter of 2025 — a modest 2% increase on the same period last year. While the slight rise offers some encouragement, the Government still faces a steep climb to reach its ambitious target of delivering 41,000 new homes this year.
Apartment construction led the gains, with 1,781 units completed — a 13.4% rise year-on-year. However, this was offset by a drop in other housing types. Single dwellings fell by 3.5% to 1,137 units, and estate houses declined by 1.7% to 3,020.
Regional analysis shows Dublin accounted for nearly a third (32%) of all completions in Q1 2025, followed by the Mid-East region — covering Louth, Meath, Kildare, and Wicklow — at 20.8%. The West (Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon) recorded the strongest relative growth at 5.8%, while the Border region posted a 5% rise.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, welcomed the figures and said almost 6,000 families would benefit from the new homes. He pledged to scale up delivery and announced the creation of a dedicated housing activation office to focus on unlocking bottlenecked sites.
“Soon I will be putting in place a dedicated housing activation team to identify sites for delivery, highlight where the system is lagging, and impose the necessary solutions,” said Mr Browne. He also confirmed that An Coimisiún Pleanála will be established in the coming weeks to replace An Bord Pleanála, promising swifter planning decisions through mandatory statutory deadlines.
However, Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin dismissed the figures as underwhelming and said they cast doubt over the Government’s 2025 targets.
“Today’s data confirms that we are seeing no meaningful increase in housing output,” Mr Ó Broin said. “Despite a surge in commencement notices in April last year, these have not translated into completed homes. The target of 41,000 for this year is clearly in jeopardy.”
The Government’s 2024 goal of 40,000 new homes was also missed, with only 30,330 completed by year-end. As demand continues to outstrip supply, the latest figures underscore the scale of the challenge facing policymakers to ramp up construction in the months ahead.
Apartment construction led the gains, with 1,781 units completed — a 13.4% rise year-on-year. However, this was offset by a drop in other housing types. Single dwellings fell by 3.5% to 1,137 units, and estate houses declined by 1.7% to 3,020.
Regional analysis shows Dublin accounted for nearly a third (32%) of all completions in Q1 2025, followed by the Mid-East region — covering Louth, Meath, Kildare, and Wicklow — at 20.8%. The West (Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon) recorded the strongest relative growth at 5.8%, while the Border region posted a 5% rise.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, welcomed the figures and said almost 6,000 families would benefit from the new homes. He pledged to scale up delivery and announced the creation of a dedicated housing activation office to focus on unlocking bottlenecked sites.
“Soon I will be putting in place a dedicated housing activation team to identify sites for delivery, highlight where the system is lagging, and impose the necessary solutions,” said Mr Browne. He also confirmed that An Coimisiún Pleanála will be established in the coming weeks to replace An Bord Pleanála, promising swifter planning decisions through mandatory statutory deadlines.
However, Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin dismissed the figures as underwhelming and said they cast doubt over the Government’s 2025 targets.
“Today’s data confirms that we are seeing no meaningful increase in housing output,” Mr Ó Broin said. “Despite a surge in commencement notices in April last year, these have not translated into completed homes. The target of 41,000 for this year is clearly in jeopardy.”
The Government’s 2024 goal of 40,000 new homes was also missed, with only 30,330 completed by year-end. As demand continues to outstrip supply, the latest figures underscore the scale of the challenge facing policymakers to ramp up construction in the months ahead.
