Irish housing data · Q2 2026
Why 11,912 approved homes and 8,823 completed homes tell different stories, with practical steps for Irish self-builders.
The number of homes approved for planning and the number completed are often quoted together. They answer different questions. If you are building a one-off house, managing a small development or deciding when to approach trades, understanding that difference helps you plan a realistic sequence of work.
What do the latest Irish housing figures show?
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) planning release records 11,912 dwelling units granted permission in Q2 2026, compared with 7,447 in Q2 2025, a 60.0% increase. Its separate new dwelling completions release records 8,823 completed homes in Q2 2026, down 3.6% from the same quarter in 2025.
| CSO measure | Q2 2026 | Compared with Q2 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Dwelling units granted planning permission | 11,912 | Up 60.0% |
| One-off houses granted permission | 1,229 | Up 6.2% |
| New dwellings completed | 8,823 | Down 3.6% |
| Single dwellings completed | 1,427 | Down 3.7% |
How to read these numbers: Permission is granted before a project may start; completion is counted when a new dwelling is connected to the electricity network under the CSO methodology. The two Q2 totals do not refer to the same set of homes. Subtracting one from the other does not tell you how many approved projects were delayed or cancelled.
What do one-off house figures mean for a self-build?
The CSO counted 1,229 one-off houses approved and 1,427 single dwellings completed in Q2 2026. These categories are useful for understanding a national trend, but they are measured at different stages. Neither figure predicts how long your own planning application, tender or build will take.
For an individual project, start by checking the site, design, services and permission requirements. Read our planning permission guide and the 2026 planning exemptions guide for background, then seek property-specific advice from a qualified designer or your planning authority. Do not assume national approval totals change the rules for your site.
Do Dublin and Cork tell the same story?
In Q2 2026, the CSO recorded 3,241 dwelling units approved across Dublin’s four local authorities and 3,234 in Cork. They were close in this quarter, but the mix of houses and apartments was different. The CSO also reported that Dublin accounted for 36% of new dwelling completions nationally, while the Mid-East region, which includes Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow, accounted for 19.6%.
Those figures describe activity, not a county-by-county forecast of contractor availability or prices. If you need a local team, compare relevant experience, capacity and written quotations. Start with our builders in Ireland directory or browse tradesmen by county; see the builder costs guide when drawing up a budget.
How should you prepare to hire trades for a new home?
- Define the scope. Put your site location, drawings, proposed finish, access and intended timeline into one brief.
- Confirm the approvals. Check the planning position and any building control, professional and certification requirements before scheduling work.
- Price the main stages. Ask a builder or main contractor about groundworks, structure, roofing and the proposed contract structure; coordinate electrical work and plumbing and heating at the right stage.
- Compare like with like. Give each contractor the same plans and specifications, confirm exclusions, and check insurance and references. Our contractor paperwork checklist can help.
For projects needing several specialists, our subcontractor guide explains what information makes an enquiry easier to price. Your individual timeline will depend on the site, approvals, design, contractor capacity and procurement.
Quick questions about the CSO data
Does 11,912 approvals mean 11,912 houses were built?
No. The approvals total includes houses and apartments granted permission in Q2 2026. Building and completion can follow later, and some permissions may not result in a completed dwelling.
Does the fall in completions mean no builders are available?
No. Completion figures alone cannot measure how many suitable contractors are available for a particular project or county.
Official data and further reading
Planning a new build in Ireland?
Tell Trade Source IRE the county, project stage, trade requirements and timeframe. You can request a tradesman and compare the suitability of any professionals for your job.