Celtic Tiger construction not included in 'record' construction figure for Laois

A claimed record in the number of new homes that commenced construction in Laois last year does not factor in high building levels during the Celtic Tiger.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has published its monthly data on the number of Commencements Notices (residential construction starts) for December 2023 which shows the total number of all new homes commencements in 2023.

For December 2023, Commencement Notices for 826 new homes in Laois were received. It adds that this is also the highest number of annual commencements "on record", an increase of 52% compared to 2022 (542).

Nationally, the data shows that between January and December 2023, 32,801 Commencement Notices for new homes were received by the Building Control Authorities. This is the highest number of annual commencements on record, an increase of over 21.5% compared to 2022 (26,957).

The Department also says this is the highest number of annual residential commencements since records began. The data only dates back to 2014.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien said:  “These impressive figures indicate that supply, which is key to addressing our housing needs continues to increase and that a robust stock of new housing is in the pipeline.  More below picture.

Darragh O'Brien on a visit to Laois in 2023 at new social housing homes off Mountmellick Road, Portlaoise. Pic: Michael Scully

"The Government initiatives which we introduced last year such as the development levy waiver and the Irish Water rebate are clearly having a positive impact of the viability of projects. Combined with the supports for First-Time Buyers such as Help-to-Buy and the First Home Scheme we can really see momentum building," he said.

Mr O'Brien who has visited several construction sites in Laois says the full 2023 housing completion data due by the end of January will give a clearer picture of delivery for the last year.

"I expect these figures to also show an increase. All the key housing indicators-commencements, completions and planning permissions are trending upwards which bodes well for future supply.

‘’This performance is all the more impressive considering the recent Euroconstruct report which shows that while with total construction activity across 19 European countries is expected to fall in 2024, Ireland’s construction activity is due to expand by 4.4% this year,” he said.

The full commencement data set can be accessed at: Construction Activity Statistics