The Central Statistics Office has reported that the number of homes completed in Ireland this year is slightly behind the figures for the same period last year. From January to September 2024, a total of 21,634 houses and apartments were built, compared to 22,325 in the same timeframe in 2023.
These figures align with predictions made by economists from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and the Central Bank, who have forecasted that housing output this year will either match or slightly decrease compared to 2023. Last year, a total of 32,548 homes were constructed, yet government officials, including Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien, have aimed to complete around 40,000 homes in 2024.
Although the total number of new dwellings in the third quarter of this year increased by 6% compared to last year, the numbers from the first and second quarters did not reach last year’s output levels. Specifically, housing estates built in the third quarter rose by 23%, while apartment construction saw a decline of 7%, and single dwellings fell by 5%.
The Central Bank has emphasized that to effectively address Ireland’s housing deficit and accommodate the growing population over the next 25 years, the country needs to construct more than 52,000 homes annually.
In a recent Dáil session, Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty, criticized the government’s housing strategy, claiming it is “in tatters.” He argued for a “radically different approach,” asserting that the government is unrealistic if it believes it can deliver 40,000 homes this year. In a heated exchange, Doherty accused Minister O’Brien of misleading the Dáil regarding housing completions.
Minister O’Brien, however, countered that a record number of homes will indeed be built this year, predicting final figures in the high 30s or low 40,000s. He assured that the targets in the government’s Housing for All plan would soon be reassessed and potentially increased.
O’Brien defended the government’s track record, highlighting that over the past four years, it has demonstrated its capacity to scale up housing delivery. He noted a significant allocation of €5.1 billion for housing this year, with plans for an additional €6 billion earmarked for 2025.
Labour leader Ivana Bacik challenged O’Brien, stating that the Housing for All plan has failed, as evidenced by rising house prices, increasing rents, and escalating homelessness. She called for an urgent revision of housing targets ahead of the general election, emphasizing the disparity between the actual need for housing and the government’s existing plans.
In response to the criticism, O’Brien maintained that the government has delivered 125,000 new homes and is committed to exceeding its targets for the year, asserting that he is simply presenting the facts amid opposition claims.