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🇪🇺 Sunday Property Round-Up 19th July 2026 

🇪🇺 Sunday Property Round-Up 19th July 2026 

Weekly Irish property market news and insights – for the industry, by the industry

In the same week trad group The Mary Wallopers drew fire from landlords over ‘burn them out’ lyrics in a new song – with claims the track is ‘deeply worrying’ – the Irish Independent published some uncomfortable but necessary reporting on the impact of the school holidays on the growing number of children who are homeless and living in emergency accommodation in Ireland. It further strengthens the case for escalating Ireland’s housing crisis to a housing emergency, so that emergency delivery measures can be undertaken immediately – similar to the approaches taken during Covid and to supply housing after the Ukrainian invasion.

This is already happening at infrastructure level. Minister Jack Chambers – who has previously declared it time to ‘cut the crap’ on infrastructure delivery – told the Irish Independent podcast this week that the first block of roughly ten projects to be designated as critical infrastructure is being finalised, prioritising water, energy and transport, with health infrastructure to follow in the coming months and further designations every two to three months thereafter.

Three points stood out for those of us delivering the built environment:

▪️ Designation is not a list-tidying exercise. A project must be able to benefit within a 12-month cycle – anything still at concept, design or business-case stage won’t qualify. The whole point, in the Minister’s words, is driving projects into construction, with powers of direction over State bodies, decision points run in parallel rather than sequentially, and a rebalancing of resources ‘in the interests of delivery’.

▪️ The Galway Ring Road is expected to make the first cut – a project the Minister noted has been running for 20 years through ‘process after process, legal challenge after legal challenge’, with people in Galway sitting in congestion despite the funding being there.

▪️ The most consequential line of the interview: designation would allow Section 15 of the Climate Act to be disapplied for these projects, narrowing the legal scope for challenge. Expect this to be the battleground – environmental law practitioners will be watching the first designations very closely. The Minister’s framing was characteristically blunt: ten years of ‘excessive focus on compliance rather than delivery’, with ‘process rewarded rather than progress’.

Also this week: data centres are set for network priority and discounted rates in an EU electricity overhaul – moves that form part of a draft law on ‘future-proofing’ energy bills.

On the housing delivery front, we saw a real-time working example of Goodhart’s Law (‘when a measure becomes a target, it stops being a good measure’), as the government’s mid-year review celebrated a 149% surge in housing commencements (15,946). The 149% figure is accurate – but it is also incomplete, and somewhat misleading.

Here’s what the Department’s own time series shows:
▪️ 2024 hit a record 69,311 commencements – but 62% of them landed in just three months
▪️ April 2024: 18,700 units (final month of the original levy waiver window)
▪️ September 2024: 13,338 units (water connection refund deadline)
▪️ December 2024: 10,723 units (final waiver commencement deadline)

The industry did what any rational industry does with a hard fiscal deadline: it pulled commencement notices forward. The result? 2025 collapsed to 16,412 – the lowest annual total since 2015. The more accurate comparison is H1 2023 (15,561) to H1 2026 (15,946), which shows actual growth of 2.5% – significantly less than 149%.

*The key date to watch: qualifying waiver units must be COMPLETED by 31 December 2026.

Another interesting insight from the data: 80% of housing schemes now embrace MMC, as timber frame reaches a record 66% share. Modern Methods of Construction are moving into the mainstream, with four in five housing schemes – and more than one-third of apartment 

developments – intending to use MMC.

🇪🇺 DONEGAL WRAP-UP:  Week 3 of #PlaceEngage is done, and Donegal refused to fit the national narrative – which is exactly why we came.

The full article is now live: a county with the lowest house prices in the State and some of the fastest momentum; planners spoken of warmly while “they don’t really get it” was reserved for decision-making further away; huge tractors dwarfing the bungalows they were parked outside in the hills, while new homes around Letterkenny and up into Dunfanaghy were larger than small hotels. Same county, very different stories – and the gap between the published numbers and lived experience is where the most valuable conversations happened.

Every county week starts with our Placemaking Data Baseline and then we spend our time on the ground listening, testing how the data tracks against how people actually experience their place.

A sincere thank-you to the news team at Highland Radio for picking up the Donegal baseline and inviting the people of Donegal to have their say – local media taking local placemaking seriously is itself a placemaking act.

We’re getting on the road shortly for Wexford and look forward to hearing from people on the ground there. Contact me directly to get involved: carol@caroltallon.com 

📧 All stories are covered in full within this week’s Sunday Property Round-Up on iProperty Radio, powered by Property District – now the largest weekly newsletter BY and FOR Ireland’s real estate and construction industry. If it’s not in your inbox yet, email carol@caroltallon.com to receive a copy.

PROPERTY DISTRICT PRESS OFFICE 

Below are the local and international stories that might be of particular interest:

  • 15,946 New Homes Started in Six Months as Building Activity Surges 149%: Housing commencements more than doubled in June, with almost four in ten new homes starting in Dublin as Government points to growing supply pipeline
15,946 New Homes Started in Six Months as Building Activity Surges 149%
  • 80% of Housing Schemes Now Embrace MMC as Timber Frame Reaches Record 66% Share:

Latest Government data shows Modern Methods of Construction moving into the mainstream, with four in five housing schemes and more than one-third of apartment developments intending to use MMC https://breakingground.news/80-of-housing-schemes-now-embrace-mmc-as-timber-frame-reaches-record-66-share/

  • €348.6m Vacancy Grants Return 6,312 Homes to Use as 14,377 Applications Approved: More than 900 vacant properties reactivated in the second quarter alone as Government publishes county-by-county performance of refurbishment scheme – More than 6,300 vacant and derelict homes have been returned to active residential use under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant since the scheme was introduced four years ago, with almost €350 million in grant funding now paid to homeowners completing refurbishment works: https://ipropertyradio.com/e348-6m-vacancy-grants-return-6312-homes-to-use-as-14377-applications-approved/
  • HBFI Loan Approvals Reach €3.78bn as Funding Pipeline Expands to 19,399 Homes: State-backed lender increases approvals by 14% in six months, with 80% of lending supporting SME builders and 87% of projects backed with less than 35% developer equity: Home Building Finance Ireland (HBFI) increased total loan approvals to €3.776 billion by the end of June 2026, a 14% increase from €3.323 billion at the end of December 2025, as the State-backed lender continued to expand funding for residential development across Ireland. https://breakingground.news/hbfi-loan-approvals-reach-e3-78bn-as-funding-pipeline-expands-to-19399-homes/
  • €1.7bn Dilosk Mortgage Business to Join €75bn Pepper Advantage Platform: Pepper Advantage agrees acquisition of Dilosk, bringing together mortgage origination, servicing and credit management capabilities as Irish lender continues to operate under the ICS Mortgages brand. Dilosk DAC, the Irish residential mortgage lender and servicer behind the ICS Mortgages brand, has agreed to be acquired by Pepper Advantage, the international credit management and technology business owned by global private investment firm J.C. Flowers & Co. https://irishrealestate.news/e1-7bn-dilosk-mortgage-business-to-join-e75bn-pepper-advantage-platform/
  • Lisney Strengthens Leadership Team with Eight Senior Appointments Following CEO Transition: Five new Directors and three Divisional Directors appointed as independent property advisory firm expands leadership across commercial, residential, research and HR. Property advisory firm Lisney has announced eight senior leadership appointments, including five new Directors and three Divisional Directors, as the company strengthens its management team following the recent appointment of Aoife Brennan as Chief Executive Officer. https://irishrealestate.news/lisney-strengthens-leadership-team-with-eight-senior-appointments-following-ceo-transition/

EU POLICY & RESEARCH IMPACTING HOUSING DELIVERY 

  • 26 counties. 26 weeks. One shared conversation about place: Ireland’s EU Council Presidency slogan is Ní neart go cur le chéile — strength in unity. Ours? Faigheann cos ar siúl rud nach bhfaigheann cos ina cónaí — a walking foot finds something that a resting foot wouldn’t 😉

Get involved at: https://placeengage.com/week-3-donegal-a-tale-of-two-property-markets-and-the-places-between-them/

If you missed last week’s round-up, you can catch up here: https://ipropertyradio.com/sunday-property-round-up/ 
As always, you might let me know if I have missed out on any relevant property news by emailing carol@caroltallon.com 

PLACEMAKING: https://placeengage.com

Open public consultations and community engagement, in association with the Public Consultation Institute of Ireland

  • Beautiful – Sustainable – Together: Aligned with Aarhus Convention transparency and New European Bauhaus principles, PLACEengage empowers communities, planners, and developers across Ireland’s public and private sectors to collaborate more effectively — Learn more at www.PLACEengage.com PLACEengage: Better placemaking, together.

Rural, Coastal & Islands

CONSTRUCTION: https://breakingground.news 

  • Ethos Engineering Expands to 400 Staff with Hanley Pepper Acquisition as Data Centre Growth Strategy Accelerates: Civil and structural engineering specialist becomes Ethos’ fourth acquisition, strengthening integrated delivery across 21 countries and expanding its critical infrastructure capability. Ethos Engineering has acquired Irish civil and structural engineering consultancy Hanley Pepper Consulting Engineers, marking its fourth acquisition as the Dublin-headquartered engineering firm continues to expand its integrated data centre and critical infrastructure offering across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. https://breakingground.news/ethos-engineering-expands-to-400-staff-with-hanley-pepper-acquisition-as-data-centre-growth-strategy-accelerates/

Breaking Ground News: Appointments & Construction Careers

  • BGN Construction Careers, your weekly newsletter from Breaking Ground news, keeps you updated on the latest job opportunities, while showcasing the very best employer brands and projects, across Ireland’s construction industry. Whether you are looking for your next role or planning your career path, stay connected with us for new openings, upskilling opportunities and industry news. Get all the latest job details straight to your inbox: Sign up https://breakingground.news/sign-up-form/

CIF Safety Campaign 2026 Podcast 

🎙️ Night Works on the N11 (Part 2 of 2) with Jons Civil Engineering Company Ltd

In the week since we posted Part 1 of this podcast, a further 12 lives have been lost on Irish roads. Traffic fatalities across Ireland stood at 97 as of 16 July 2026, according to An Garda Síochána. It is unclear whether that figure includes the four fatalities reported over the past 24 hours.

The latest CIF Safety podcast goes behind the barriers of night works, exploring traffic management, temporary works and the people delivering these essential projects while the country sleeps.

In the second of this two-part podcast series, the Construction Industry Federation’s John Egan talks to Philip O’Donnell of Jons Civil Engineering Company Ltd about the extensive safety planning and preparation required before road improvement works begin, including road closure orders, traffic management planning, and engagement with local stakeholders and communities.

Listen back – Part 2: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1k907sElL4TZUKjuoIbL38?si=BY_UOXsFTl2l_fIAzuHbag 

Watch back – Part 2: https://youtu.be/nTju1WIaAhw?si=dnx2w-UrPBYuudTa 

ALSO: 

Listen back to Part 1: https://open.spotify.com/episode/05kXTGpNjip0ZAAlxU2r4O?si=jOmGyQgYTIe8RuS0Ym2Hhw

Watch Part 2: https://youtu.be/ecxndSpl5f8?si=DpF-CRZZc0k7-kY7

📷 Katie Tallon

*Recorded on sites across Ireland — from a European HQ in Dublin’s Docklands, to the largest Capex energy project in the State — catch up  the entire 2025 & 2026 series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5hAEpymn6vnhCbgSqe6T8TJTfB9mvD6C&si=ity7U_ANvSSyc0bU

REAL ESTATE: www.irishrealestate.news

Residential 

*Searching for a new home or investment property in Ireland? Join the iProperty Radio FACEBOOK community of property buyers in Ireland 2026: https://www.facebook.com/groups/IrishPropertyBuyers/ 

Commercial 

iProperty Radio: Property Round-Up

❓ As Ireland takes over the EU Council Presidency, what’s the most important housing lever Government could and should push (top down) or pull (ground up)?

Genevieve McGuirk McGurk, CEO of the IPAV – Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers takes us through the body’s Pre-Budget Submission 2027.

Genevieve reports what IPAV members are seeing across the country:

  • Smaller landlords exiting as properties fall vacant
  •  Notices of termination at record levels
  • Difficulty of reconciling that with RTB tenancy data
  •  “Missing middle” of landlords, caught in a higher tax bracket and unsettled by repeated legislative change
  •  Growing problem of overholding and weak enforcement

SME HOME BUILDERS

On delivery, the discussion turns to the SME home builder — the developers behind 50 units or fewer who face viability barriers, high finance costs, and disproportionate legal and documentation burdens.

IPAV’s call for a one-stop shop (possibly through Home Building Finance Ireland (HBFI), zero stamp duty for first-time buyers on second-hand homes, and reduced capital gains to support rural succession all feature.

TACKLING VACANCY & DERELICTION

Vacancy and dereliction emerge as the shared frustration: existing stock, existing infrastructure, and grant schemes that still leave gaps — including limited companies locked out of the Above the Shop grant.

RURAL PLANNING

The conversation closes on local authority empowerment, the relaxing of rural one-off planning rules, and the early sign that rural home applications rose in the last quarter — suggesting interpretation, not the rules themselves, was the blockage.

🇪🇺 Recorded as part of iProperty Radio‘s Place Engage 26-county, 26-week non-political placemaking roadshow for the duration of Ireland’s  EU Council Presidency.

Watch back:   https://youtu.be/be5SiPI4tQ4?si=2kZMWngYXsWecmTE 

Listen back: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0rhnKnsijNFb2DuE2H0eba?si=_wr-ZoG7SKqP1sbxiB_kyQ 

PROPTECH, CONSTRUCTION TECH & SMART CITIES: https://prop-tech.ie/

Proptech Ireland is updating the database of 2026 Irish technology providers for the built environment – sign up here: https://prop-tech.ie/register/  and email product or service details to hello@prop-tech.ie

  • Proptech Ireland: Ireland’s CONSTRUCTION and REAL ESTATE ESG technologies resource hub. Confused about how and where to start on your ESG journey? Contact us 👉https://prop-tech.ie
  • PICTURED: £0.5m to £8m Investment Platform Launched to Back Infrastructure Innovation: Murphy Capital aims to accelerate infrastructure technology by combining venture investment with access to live project environments and operational expertise: Engineering and infrastructure contractor Murphy has launched Murphy Capital, a dedicated corporate venture investment platform that will back early-stage and growth businesses developing technologies for the infrastructure sector https://breakingground.news/0-5m-to-8m-investment-platform-launched-to-back-infrastructure-innovation/

PODCAST: The Proptech Hot Seat on iPropertyRadio.com

Proptech Hot seat is sponsored by Proptech Ireland, the hub for innovators, investors and industry leaders https://prop-tech.ie/ 

Produced by Katie Tallon, with Hear Me Roar Media on sound https://hearmeroarmedia.com 

All Proptech Hot Seat episodes –  https://ipropertyradio.com/proptech-hot-seat/ 

INFRASTRUCTURE, ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT & BIODIVERSITY

📌 Chambers to Name First Critical Infrastructure Projects — Galway Ring Road Expected on the List

Speaking on the Irish Independent podcast, Minister Jack Chambers confirmed that work is underway to finalise the first group of projects to be designated as critical infrastructure under the new legislation, with roughly ten projects expected in the initial block.

Key points for those of us delivering the built environment:

Sectoral priorities: Water, energy and transport come first, with certain health infrastructure to follow “over the next number of months” once ready for designation.

The 12-month test: Designation will only apply where a project can materially benefit within a 12-month cycle. Projects still at concept, design or business-case stage won’t be designated — the Minister was explicit that “designating it does nothing for it if it’s still in an early phase.” The focus is on driving projects into construction.

What designation actually does: It confers a power of direction over the relevant State bodies to deploy their resources towards delivery, allows decision points to be run in parallel rather than sequentially, and — in the Minister’s framing — gets underneath regulatory systems that are “far too slow in certain instances.” He repeated his now-familiar critique that the system has rewarded process over progress and compliance over delivery.

Galway Ring Road: The Minister named the N6 Galway Ring Road as a project he expects to be designated — a scheme he noted has been running for 20 years through repeated processes and legal challenges despite funding being in place. Significantly, he indicated that disapplying Section 15 of the Climate Act for designated projects would narrow the legal scope for challenge — a point likely to draw scrutiny from environmental law practitioners and worth watching as the first designations land.

Rolling programme: After the initial block, further projects will be designated every two to three months, with departments challenged to demonstrate readiness before requesting designation.

Early evidence cited: The Minister pointed to water infrastructure projects now running a year ahead of schedule, and said he expects MetroLink to move quicker than previously anticipated.

Listen back: https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/government-to-shield-galway-ring-road-and-other-projects-from-climate-objectors-in-bid-to-fast-track-critical-infrastructure/a/158906694.html

Picture of Carol Tallon

Carol Tallon