New data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows a modest 2% increase in housing completions in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, casting fresh doubt over the Government’s ability to meet its ambitious housing targets.
According to the figures, 5,938 homes were completed between January and March, a slight uptick from the same time in 2024. The growth was driven largely by a 13.4% rise in apartment completions, with 1,781 units finished. However, the number of single dwellings dropped by 3.5% to 1,137, while houses in housing estates slipped 1.7% to 3,020.
The Government has set a target of delivering 41,000 new homes in 2025—an increase of over 10,000 on the 30,330 homes completed last year. That 2024 total also fell well short of the Government’s target of 40,000 homes.
Commenting on the latest figures, Minister for Housing James Browne welcomed the progress but acknowledged the need for acceleration. “These homes will be welcomed by nearly 6,000 families,” he said. “But we must scale up delivery as rapidly as possible. That’s why I will be establishing a dedicated housing activation office to focus on problem areas, unlock stalled sites, and drive faster housing delivery.”
Browne also confirmed plans to replace An Bord Pleanála with a new planning body, An Coimisiún Pleanála, in the coming weeks. The revamped agency will operate with statutory deadlines to speed up decision-making and reduce legal delays, he said.
The regional breakdown of completions reveals that Dublin accounted for nearly a third (32%) of the total, with the Mid-East region—comprising Louth, Meath, Kildare, and Wicklow—making up a further 20.8%. Six of the eight regions recorded an increase in completions, with the West (Galway, Mayo, Roscommon) seeing the largest relative growth at 5.8%, followed by the Border region at 5%.
However, the figures drew criticism from the opposition. Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin described the data as “disappointing but not surprising.”
“The Government continues to fall short. Today’s figures show output is flat compared to the first quarter of 2024,” he said. “The sharp rise in commencement notices last April hasn’t translated into actual supply. The 2025 target of 41,000 homes already looks in jeopardy.”
With demand for housing continuing to surge and supply struggling to keep pace, pressure is mounting on the Government to deliver faster and more effectively on its housing commitments.
