There has been another major fall in activity in the housing sector.

That is according to the latest National Housing Construction Index.

It shows that the planning applications in the first half of 2012 are down nearly 20% on last year while the number of projects commencing are down 7%.

Planning applications in Kildare have fallen by 41%, Kerry is down by 38% and Clare by 35%.

The index compares activity in the first-half of this year to the same period in 2011.

Danny O’Shea is Managing Director of  Link2Plans.com.

He says that while  the capital is among the worst-affected areas it is not all bad news for the sector.