The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has reported a record-breaking first quarter for the Irish housing sector, with 7,856 new homes completed between January and March 2026. This figure represents a 32.9% rise compared to the same period in 2025 and stands as the highest number of Q1 completions since the data series was established in 2011.

Historically, the first quarter of the year accounts for a smaller portion of total annual delivery—typically between a sixth and a fifth of the yearly output. The strength of these opening figures suggests a robust outlook for total housing supply throughout the remainder of 2026.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, welcomed the findings: "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."

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The Minister added: "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 is 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 completions recorded in Q1 2026 are categorised as follows:

• Scheme dwellings: 4,082 units (houses in multi-unit developments), marking a 34.5% increase from Q1 2025.

• Apartments: 2,355 units, representing a 33.3% rise from the previous year.

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

In terms of market share, scheme dwellings accounted for 52% of all completions, followed by apartments at 30% and single dwellings at 18%. Growth was observed across all regions of the country, with the Border region notably recording a 58% increase in completions compared to the first quarter of last year.