The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has released its data on the number of Commencement Notices for April, revealing that work has commenced on 18,182 homes.

As April's figure is up 605 per cent on the same period of 2023, this is the highest figure recorded in any month since the series began in 2014. The previous highest monthly figure ever was 4,969 in May 2021.

Of the 18,182 units commenced in April 2024, 47 per cent are scheme dwellings, 45 per cent are apartments and eight per cent are for one-off units.

Last month, 33 per cent of all homes commenced were in the four Dublin local authorities. Among these, Dublin City led with 2,656 units, followed by Cork City with 2,394 and Fingal with 1,500. With the exception of Monaghan, which still experienced an impressive 85 per cent increase, all other local authorities witnessed at least a doubling (more than 100 per cent increase) in commencements from April 2023 to April 2024, with some seeing growth of over tenfold.

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Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O'Brien TD said:

"We have never before seen new home starts at this level and April’s numbers are hugely impressive. Indeed, so far in 2024, on average we have witnessed construction begin on approximately 350 new homes every working day. It is quite clear that the development levy waiver and Uisce Éireann connection charge rebate, which were introduced last year, have helped to fast track greater activity and have made many more projects viable and I was happy to recently receive Cabinet approval to extend both of these.

"While these numbers are truly record breaking, they will also be life-changing for the many new residents who will benefit from these projects when they are complete. An important element of the continuation of the waiver was the condition that the homes be completed by the end of 2026. Our interventions are starting to make a significant difference and we will continue to use every tool available to us to build on this momentum."

To date in 2024 (January to April), 30,138 new homes have begun construction which is up 204 per cent on the same four-month period of 2023. This figure for these four months of 2024 represents 92 per cent of the total (32,801) for the whole of 2023. In the last 12 months (May 2023 to April 2024) construction on 53,011 homes has commenced.