11,021 Homes Commenced in First Four Months of 2026 as Activity Rises 176%
Scheme housing accounted for 56% of April commencements while Dublin represented almost a quarter of all new starts nationwide
21 May 2026 | editor@breakingground.news
More than 11,000 new homes have commenced construction across Ireland since the beginning of 2026, according to the latest figures published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, pointing to continued momentum in residential delivery activity.
The latest commencement data shows that 2,613 new homes were started in April alone, representing a 152% increase compared to April 2025, when 1,037 homes commenced construction.
Since January, a total of 11,021 homes have commenced nationally, up 176% on the same period last year.
The figures suggest continued activity across the residential construction sector following a sharp rise in commencements during the first quarter of the year. The Department said the latest data indicates that momentum in the sector is “holding strong”.
Of the homes commenced in April, 1,446 units, or 56%, were scheme dwellings within multi-unit housing developments. Apartments accounted for 718 units, representing 27% of all commencements during the month, while 449 units, or 17%, were one-off homes.
The four Dublin local authorities accounted for 608 commencements in April, equivalent to 23% of the national total.
Fingal County Council recorded the highest number of commencements nationally with 276 homes started during the month. Dublin City followed with 216 commencements, while Westmeath County Council recorded 185 new starts.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne said the figures reflected improving confidence and continued activity across the housing sector.
“It is very encouraging to once again see continued improved commencement figures compared to last year, and I believe it’s a significant indicator that things are truly moving in the right direction when it comes to building the new homes we need throughout the country,” he said.
The Minister said efforts to streamline planning and provide greater certainty for the sector were beginning to have an impact on delivery levels.
“We have set ambitious targets in our Housing Action Plan, ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities’, but that scale of ambition is what we need to turn the tide and solve this housing crisis,” he said.
Under the Building Control Management System (BCMS), commencement notices are required before construction can begin on residential developments. Industry stakeholders closely monitor commencement activity as an indicator of future housing supply pipelines.
The Department noted that single dwellings refer to one-off homes, while scheme dwellings comprise houses within multi-unit developments. Apartment dwellings are recorded separately within the BCMS system.
