The number of houses built in Ireland fell by 7%, data from the CSO has confirmed. 

In 2023, 32,525 new homes were completed; however, last year that figure dropped to 30,330 - a fall of just under 7%. 

The figures are a blow to the Government, who had predicted for some time that around 40,000 new homes would be built instead. 

Speaking to Newstalk, Social Justice Ireland spokesperson Susanne Rogers said the country desperately needs to build more homes. 

“Ultimately for us, the housing targets that are in place - not that we’re even meeting those - are nowhere near sufficient if we’re really going to tackle this,” she said. 

“We have a history of underdevelopment; we are trying to play catchup but the general numbers are just not enough.” 

Homes under construction in Ireland. Picture by: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie.

Ms Rodgers added that she is concerned that the country does not have enough infrastructure at the moment to increase house building. 

“The key thing that seems to be coming down the tracks - it was mentioned in the Housing Commission - is access to water,” she said. 

“I think that’s going to be a big barrier now in terms of our infrastructure and getting all of these homes connected up to the electricity grid and, also, the water grid.

“There’s a huge amount of work that’s going to have to be done.” 

In December, there were 14,864 homeless in Ireland - a slight decrease of 335 on November’s record figure.

Main image: House building. Picture by: PA Archive/PA Images.