The annual number of new homes built in Ireland this year could fall as low as 25,000, significantly below government targets, according to warnings delivered at a major industry conference this week.
The Construction Industry Federation’s Housebuilding Summit brought together senior civil servants, major developers, and Housing Minister James Browne to discuss strategies for meeting the government’s ambitious target of 300,000 new homes by 2030. However, the gathering heard stark assessments of the challenges facing Ireland’s housing sector.
Marian Finnegan, managing director for Sherry FitzGerald Residential and Advisory, told attendees it had been evident since last June that the market was “under pressure” in terms of meeting housing targets. “I know there’s some commentary later today where it is suggested that could go as low as 25,000 this year,” Finnegan said. “I think we’re looking at a margin of plus or minus 10% on that.”
She emphasized that home construction would need to double to meet current demand levels, warning that the gap between supply and demand was driving price surges, particularly in regional areas of the country. “What is certain is that it will disappoint. It’s going to be nowhere near what we need,” Finnegan added, calling for “strong sense of action from the Government.”
Housing Minister James Browne acknowledged concerns after 2024’s “very disappointing” home completion figures but maintained that many indicators were “trending in the right direction.” Speaking to reporters, he suggested it was too early for definitive predictions, noting that “usually you see a lot of properties come on through the back end of the year.”
According to The Irish Examiner, the conference coincided with Cabinet approval of a revised National Planning Framework, which formally sets out Ireland’s target of 303,000 new houses by 2030. As part of this plan, Browne announced that local authorities must reopen their development plans and complete rezoning of land for housing before Christmas.
“I don’t see any reason why we won’t be able to access this land by the end of the year,” the minister stated. “The local authorities can do it quite quickly and I expect to see local authorities move with the urgency that I’m moving. The people who will be watching this expect the urgency so we can deliver those homes that we need.”
Industry leaders at the summit urged the government to address multiple bottlenecks in planning, water and utility connections, and financing to boost housing delivery, particularly against the backdrop of Ireland missing its housing targets last year and economic uncertainty posed by potential Trump tariffs.