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
17 July 2026 | đŸ“§Â editor@ipropertyradio.com
Almost 16,000 new homes were commenced across Ireland during the first six months of 2026, marking one of the strongest starts to a year for residential construction in recent years and offering a positive signal for prospective homebuyers waiting for more supply to reach the market.
New figures published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage show that 15,946 homes were commenced between January and June, representing a 149% increase on the 6,414 homes started during the same period in 2025. June alone saw 2,826 homes commenced, up 105% from 1,381 in June last year.
While a commencement does not mean a home is complete or immediately available for purchase, it represents the formal start of construction and provides an early indication of the volume of homes expected to enter the market over the coming years.
The latest figures build on the strong level of residential activity seen over the previous two years. Combined commencements during 2024 and 2025 reached 85,723 homes, an increase of 43% compared with the combined total recorded in 2022 and 2023.
Apartments continued to account for the largest share of new commencements in June. Of the 2,826 homes started during the month, 1,765 were apartments, representing 62% of all commencements. Scheme housing, comprising houses within new residential developments, accounted for 582 units or 21%, while 479 one-off homes represented the remaining 17%.
Construction activity remained concentrated in the capital. The four Dublin local authorities accounted for 1,074 commencements during June, equivalent to 39% of the national total. Dublin City recorded the highest level of activity with 789 homes commenced, followed by Cork City with 328 and Meath County with 262.
For consumers, the figures suggest developers continue to expand construction pipelines despite ongoing affordability, planning and infrastructure challenges. However, commencements are only the first stage of the delivery process, meaning it will take time before these homes become available for sale or occupation.
The latest data also highlights the growing role of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) in delivering new housing more quickly.
Across housing schemes, 80% of developments commencing during the first half of 2026 indicated they intend to use MMC, while 37% of apartment developments also plan to incorporate these construction methods. Timber frame remains the dominant MMC system for housing schemes, accounting for 66% of intended MMC use, while apartment projects are more likely to use precast concrete systems, alongside insulated concrete formwork, timber frame and light gauge steel.
The accompanying Department infographic also illustrates how timber frame construction has steadily expanded over the past two decades. According to National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) data, timber frame accounted for around 20% of the market in 2008. By 2019, industry estimates suggested it represented approximately 37% of low-rise housing, rising to 48% in a survey by the Irish Timber Frame Manufacturers Association before reaching 61% of scheme housing commencements in the second half of 2025. The latest figures show that proportion has increased further to 66% during the first half of 2026.
Housing Minister James Browne said the figures reflected strong momentum in homebuilding while emphasising that Government remained focused on increasing housing delivery. He also highlighted the continued growth in MMC, describing it as an important means of accelerating construction while maintaining build quality.
For households hoping to buy a home, the commencement figures provide encouragement that the pipeline of future housing supply continues to strengthen. The key challenge over the coming months will be converting this record level of construction starts into completed homes entering the market at the pace needed to meet Ireland’s growing housing demand.
