A survey carried out by Construction Industry Federation (CIF) members estimates the number of completed new homes in 2008 to be 33,000 - that's barely more than a third of the homes completed last year.
The Irish Government's own forecast is 60,000 in 2008, which puts predicted economy growth at 3.5 per cent.
If CIF predictions turns out to be correct growth in the economy next year will fall to zero.
The CIF results have been described as "dubious" by AIB economist John Beggs.
(GK/JM)
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