New Home Completions Jump 33% in Q1 as Housing Output Hits Record High

Ireland’s housing supply received a strong boost in the first quarter of 2026, with new home completions rising almost 33% year‑on‑year, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). A total of 7,856 homes were delivered between January and March — the highest first‑quarter output since the CSO began tracking completions in 2011 .

The surge was broad‑based across all housing types. Apartment completions increased by 33.3%, while estate houses rose 34.5% and one‑off homes climbed 27.8%. Every region of the country recorded growth, with the Border region leading at 58% year‑on‑year expansion .

Momentum Builds — But Still Short of National Need

Despite the strong start to the year, analysts warn that completions remain well below the 50,000+ homes annually required to ease the housing crisis. Davy’s chief economist Kevin Timoney noted that the Q1 total fell short of their forecast of 9,660 units, attributing the gap partly to exceptionally wet weather in February, one of the wettest on record .

Even so, Timoney highlighted a “strong pipeline” for the remainder of 2026, supported by high commencements in 2024 and ongoing policy efforts to address infrastructure and delivery bottlenecks.

Government Welcomes Figures

Minister for Housing James Browne said the data reflects a “real sense of momentum” in homebuilding, while acknowledging that more progress is needed. He emphasised that the Government “won’t be taking the foot off the pedal” as it works to accelerate supply across all tenures .

Urban Areas Continue to Dominate Delivery

Nearly 90% of all completed schemes were located in cities, satellite towns or rural areas with strong urban influence — underlining the continued concentration of new housing in high‑demand regions .

What This Means for the Property Market

For buyers, renters and investors, the Q1 figures signal:

• Improving supply conditions, particularly in the apartment sector
• Potential easing of pressure in urban rental markets later in the year
• Continued reliance on large‑scale schemes in metropolitan areas
• A more resilient construction pipeline despite weather‑related setbacks

While the numbers fall short of long‑term targets, the first quarter of 2026 marks a notable step forward in Ireland’s efforts to increase housing output at scale.