Louth March residential starts on par with last year

Latest figures released by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, show that work commenced on 123 homes in Louth in March, the exact same number of homes commenced in Louth during March of last year.

While it is down on the 213 homes commenced in the county in February, the total number of 361 commencements in the first three months of this year, is well above the 199 commenced in the first three months of 2023.

Of the 123 homes commenced in Louth in March, 13 were one off residential units, down from 14 in February, but up on eight commenced in the county in March of last year. Commencement has begun on 36 one off homes in Louth in the first three months of 2024, up from 21 in the first three months of 2023.

Nationally, 11,956 homes were commenced in the first three months of 2024, up 63% on the same period of 2023. 4,900 new homes were started in March 2024, an increase of 51% on the 3,244 commenced in March last year. Of the 4,900 units commenced in March 2024, 49% are scheme dwellings, 37% are apartments and 14% are for one-off units.

In releasing the latest figures, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage said that it is the highest number of annual residential commencements for this period since records began in 2015. It should be noted however, that available figures from the Department show that during Celtic Tiger years, the number of commencements were much higher. 

Prior to March 2014, the department conducted surveys of Building Control Authorities to get commencement notice data. The figures show, that nationally, in 2004 commencement began on 77,691 new homes; in 2005 commencement began on 77,709 new homes; and in 2006 work began on 75,602 new homes.