Ireland’s construction sector delivered a total of 36,284 new homes in 2025, — a 20.4% increase on 2024. According to the latest New Dwelling Completions report from the CSO, this marks the highest output since the data series began in 2011.

The year ended on a high note, with a “super-quarter” in Q4 seeing nearly 12,000 units completed. While the total fell shy of the government’s 41,000-unit target, the double-digit growth suggests that planning reforms and state subsidies are finally yielding results.

The data highlights a major shift in Irish urban living. Apartment completions soared by nearly 39%, with 12,047 units delivered. Unsurprisingly, Dublin remains the epicentre of this high-density growth; nearly 80% of all new apartments were built in the capital.

Meanwhile, scheme dwellings (housing estates) remain the backbone of the market, accounting for over 18,300 units.

While the figures are a cause for optimism, the geographic concentration remains stark. Dublin and the mid-east accounted for over half of all national completions. Local hotspots like Clondalkin led the way, but rural areas saw more modest gains.

Industry experts remain cautious. While 36,000 units is a “post-crash” record, many economists argue that Ireland requires between 50,000 and 60,000 homes annually to keep pace with population growth and pent-up demand. As we move into 2026, the focus shifts from simply “breaking records” to ensuring that supply is affordable and distributed across the entire country. For now, however, the 2025 data offers a rare glimmer of hope: the cranes are moving, and the houses are finally following.