Data published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage indicates homebuilding continues to accelerate nationwide. Since January, 8,408 new homes have been commenced, up 184% on the 2,961 units started in the same period of 2025. Excluding the exceptional Q1 2024 spike driven by levy waivers, this would be the highest first-quarter total on record.

In March 2026, 2,939 homes were started, a year-on-year increase of 293%. The momentum builds on activity in 2024 and 2025, when a combined 85,723 homes were commenced—43% higher than the total for 2022 and 2023.

The release follows positive signals earlier in the week from AIB's Irish Construction PMI, which reported a second consecutive month of growth in residential activity—the first time that has happened since the first half of 2025.

-- Advertisement --

Welcoming the figures, James Browne TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, said: "It's great to once again see such strong figures with regard to the number of new homes being built throughout the country. To see these numbers growing month-on-month alongside positive data across other key indicators in the sector, such as the AIB Construction PMI survey earlier this week, it really shows that momentum is building in a way that puts us on the right track to meet the goals set out under our Housing Action Plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities.

"I have made it very clear that, as Minister, I intend to use every lever available, to minimise red tape and maximise delivery. This will require increased public delivery of social and affordable housing, but also a serious increase in private sector home building. Today's numbers reflect the very real and sustained progress being made in this regard."

Of the 2,939 homes commenced in March, 1,635 (55%) were scheme dwellings, 932 (32%) were apartments and 372 (13%) were one-off units. Some 43% (1,276 units) were in the four Dublin local authorities. By local authority, the highest March totals were Fingal County (686), South Dublin County (277) and Dun-Laoghaire Rathdown (178).

Across Q1 2026, 35% (2,921 units) of commencements were recorded in the four Dublin local authorities. The largest year-to-date tallies were Fingal County (1,048), followed by Dublin City (721) and South Dublin County (682).