New home commencements rise 73 percent in January with 2,046 units started
Waterford leads activity as rolling 12 month total reaches 17,275 and timber frame MMC shows continued uptake
19 February 2026 | editor@breakingground.news
A total of 2,046 new homes were commenced in January 2026, representing a 73% increase on January 2025 when 1,183 units were started, according to new figures published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage January Commencements 2026.
On a rolling 12-month basis, 17,275 commencement notices were lodged in the period February 2025 to January 2026 January Commencements 2026. The Department’s published chart tracking rolling 12-month commencements from 2015 to 2026 shows activity well below the peak levels recorded during the 2021–2024 period, but above the levels seen in the mid-2010s.
Of the 2,046 units commenced in January, 1,311 were scheme dwellings, accounting for 64% of the total. Apartments made up 519 units, or 25%, while 216 units, 11%, were one-off homes.
Dublin accounted for 302 of all units commenced in January, equivalent to 15% of the national total. Activity was concentrated outside the capital, with Waterford City and County recording the highest number of commencements at 409 units. Meath County followed with 307 units, while Cork County recorded 159 units January Commencements 2026.
The data release also includes information on the main method of construction and principal construction material used, allowing identification of projects intending to use Modern Methods of Construction. The Department’s published graphic tracking the percentage of MMC by dwelling type from August 2025 to January 2026 indicates a continued steady uptake, particularly in timber frame construction January Commencements 2026.
Separate downloadable datasets accompanying the publication provide monthly commencement data from 2014 to date, as well as detailed MMC data from May 2025 onwards January Commencements 2026.
