Ireland’s population is increasing at a higher rate than the country’s housing stock. 

In the last three years, the Irish population has increased by 208,600; however,  between 2022 and 2024, 92,706 new homes were built. 

Between 2015 and 2023, population growth exceeded new-home delivery by almost four to one. 

On The Pat Kenny Show, in his final report in a series on housing, Newstalk Chief Reporter Barry Whyte said house building is well below the level experts say is needed to solve the crisis. 

“Earlier this year, Davy published a report stating that 93,000 homes a year would need to be built every year between now and 2031 in order to meet the current housing deficit, pent up demand and population growth,” he said. 

“And with experts saying only around 30,000 new units will be built in 2025, then that deficit is growing – so from 2026 onwards 105,000 new houses and apartments would need to be built per year."

Housing targets

All indicators suggest the Government will not reach their target of over 41,000 new homes this year.  

The number of new homes being built in April dropped to their lowest rates in nearly a decade; last month there were 1,027 homes commenced - down 95% on the same month last year, when work started on 18,700 homes. 

Scott Delaney from the Construction Information Services said the trend is worrying. 

“With 70,000 units started last year, we do expect a strong flow of completions through 2026 and 2027,” he said. 

“However, last month’s low commencement figures point to a weaker supply pipeline in the years beyond and that is very concerning”. 

Construction in Rathcoole, Co Dublin. Picture by: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland.

Meanwhile, there are calls for the Irish Government to cut migration as a way to ease the current housing emergency.  

Economist David W Higgins said the number of work permits has increased every year since the pandemic. 

“We used to issue less than 10,000 work permits a year around 2016,” he said. 

“That increased to 16,000 in 2019. 

“But in 2022, 2023 and 2024 that has grown to over the 40,000 mark. 

“We need a whole load of extra houses to be able to accommodate that.”

Main image: Split of Grafton street and house building. Pictures by: Agencja Fotograficzna Caro / Alamy and RollingNews.ie.