Dublin, Ireland – New data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) reveals a significant decline in housing completions for 2024, with 30,330 homes built, representing a 6.7% drop compared to 2023.
The figures show a stark decrease in apartment construction, with 8,763 units completed in 2024—a 24% fall from the previous year. Single dwellings also saw a decline, with 5,367 homes built, marking a 2.2% decrease.
In contrast, housing schemes recorded a 4.6% increase, with 16,200 units completed. Overall, scheme dwellings accounted for 53.4% of all housing completions last year, with apartments and single dwellings comprising 28.9% and 17.7%, respectively.
Regional Trends
The CSO noted that more than half of the completed homes (54.3%) were located in Dublin and the mid-east region, including Kildare, Louth, Meath, and Wicklow. Despite this concentration, the total number of completions in the final quarter of 2024 (October to December) dropped by 14.5% compared to the same period in 2023.
Falling Short of Projections
The decline in completions contradicts earlier projections from government officials and economists, who had forecasted housing output similar to 2023’s figure of nearly 33,000 units. Outgoing Taoiseach Simon Harris previously claimed that 2024 would see nearly 40,000 homes completed, including a significant social housing build.
Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien echoed these predictions, telling the Dáil in October, “The target this year under Housing for All is 33,450. I have consistently said we will exceed that target.”
However, the 30,330 completions fell short of both the 33,000 target set by the Housing for All plan and the government’s more optimistic estimates.
Opposition Reaction
Sinn Féin’s housing spokesperson, Eoin Ó Broin, criticized the government for failing to meet its targets and called the housing output inadequate to address the ongoing crisis.
“Throughout 2024, the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, and Minister for Housing claimed that 40,000 new homes would be built, despite evidence to the contrary from CSO figures,” Ó Broin said.
He argued that the government’s failure to implement necessary reforms has hindered both public and private housing delivery. “If this continues in the new government, as is likely, then the housing crisis will continue to deepen,” he warned.
The shortfall in housing completions comes amid increasing pressure on the government to address Ireland’s ongoing housing crisis, as demand continues to outstrip supply.
