Irish Housing Minister Michael Finneran has said over 50,000 new social homes were delivered by the state last year.

In total, Mr Finneran said 51,724 houses and apartments were completed in 2008.

"While there is an easing off in housing activity and recognising the difficulties currently facing the public finances, the government is committed to focus on quality in the provision of housing and to addressing the housing needs of the less well off in our society," said the minister.

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There were 11,342 houses/apartments completed in Dublin, and 16,318 units were built in the Greater Dublin Area (Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow) last year.

Around 34% of all houses built were single houses, while the remainder developed across schemes of varying sizes.

Apartments accounted for 25% of all new completions in 2008.

(PR/JM)