'Number of home completions reflects strong momentum in housing delivery'

A record number of new homes were completed in the first three months of the year, according to data published today by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

In a statement, the Dept of Housing press office pointed out that between January and March, there were 7,856 new dwelling completions, a rise of 32.9% on the same three months of 2025 and the highest number of Q1 completions since the series began in 2011.

The department says the results reflect a continued strengthening in housing activity and follow a series of positive indicators across the sector. Completions usually grow throughout the year and Q1 usually only accounts for between a sixth and a fifth of annual completions.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, TD, stated: “Today’s CSO data, showing almost 8,000 new homes delivered in the first quarter, confirms that the pace of homebuilding continues to move in the right direction. The record level of completions in the first quarter of this year, combined with more than 8,400 new homes starting construction during the same period, demonstrates real and sustained progress.

“This momentum is reinforced by other encouraging signs across the sector, including strong First Time Buyer mortgage drawdowns, record levels of social housing delivery, and robust planning permission activity.

“While the data and numbers are encouraging, the human impact is even more significant. Each of these new homes makes a meaningful and lasting difference in people’s lives, giving individuals and families a secure place to live and the stability to plan for the future.

“This government are focused on maintaining this progress, making whatever changes are necessary and pushing forward to ensure continued growth in housing supply for all those who need it.”

The 7,856 new dwelling completions in January, February, and March (Q1) 2026 include:

• Apartment completions at 2,355, up 33.3% from Q1 2025.

• 4,082 scheme dwelling completions (houses that form part of a multi-unit development of two or more houses connected to the ESB network) in Q1 2026, up 34.5% from Q1 2025.

• Single dwellings at 1,419, up 27.8% from Q1 2025.

More than half of completions (52%) were scheme dwellings, 30% were apartments, and 18% were single dwellings. There was an increase in completions from Q1 2025 to Q1 2026 in all regions of Ireland, including a 58% rise in the Border region.

The full CSO data can be accessed at:

https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-ndc/newdwellingcompletionsq12026/