There has been a strong upward trend across all housing construction activity data sets in Ireland, according to the latest CSO New Dwellings Completion Report.

The report states that a total of 4,419 houses were completed in the second quarter of 2018. So far this year almost 8,000 new homes have been completed.

The Minister for Housing, Eoghan Murphy, welcomed the report.

He said: "While we still have some way to go, more homes have been completed in the first six months of this year than in any year between 2011 and 2016. So that is really welcome progress. Our fundamental task is to increase supply and these figures confirm that this is happening, and quickly.

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"This housing crisis is deep and affects people's lives in so many ways, from people in emergency accommodation, to those struggling to pay the rent or afford their own home. But the primary solution to these problems is supply.

"The message from today's CSO report is clear. The ongoing efforts by my Department, relevant agencies, local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies and other stakeholders to deliver on the goals of Rebuilding Ireland is bearing fruit, but we will not become complacent and will continue to work together to tackle the issue of housing supply."

(MH)