Record 9,089 social homes built in 2025 as local authority programmes scale up
Government data shows strongest year for social housing construction since the foundation of the State, with Dublin authorities accounting for a significant share of delivery
5 March 2026 | editor@breakingground.news
A total of 9,089 new-build social homes were completed across Ireland in 2025, marking the highest annual level of delivery since the foundation of the State, according to new figures published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The latest statistics show output increased by 1,256 homes compared with 2024, representing a year-on-year rise of 16%. The Department said the figures reflect the continued scaling up of local authority construction programmes alongside increased output from Approved Housing Bodies and a broader acceleration in building activity.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD said the results demonstrate “an unprecedented level of delivery” in the social housing programme.
“We are now seeing an unprecedented level of delivery of new-build social homes, with 2025 representing the largest number of new build social homes constructed since the foundation of the State,” he said.
“This reflects the scaling up of local authority building programmes, increased output from Approved Housing Bodies and the acceleration of construction activity across the country.”
Local authorities in the Dublin region delivered the largest share of new homes. Dublin City Council recorded the highest output nationally with 1,375 new homes completed. South Dublin County Council delivered 816 homes, while Fingal County Council completed 759 units.
Outside the capital, several authorities also recorded significant delivery levels. Louth County Council completed 562 new homes, Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown delivered 538, Cork City Council built 472 units, and Meath County Council delivered 457. Cork County Council completed 400 homes while Kildare County Council recorded 398 new-build social units.
The Department said the figures reflect structural changes introduced to accelerate delivery across the public housing programme. Policy measures introduced over the past year include the introduction of a single-stage approval process for social housing projects, the mandated adoption of Employers Requirements for Detailed Design of Quality Housing, and the establishment of the Housing Activation Office to support project progression.
Standardised housing layouts under the Design Manual for Quality Housing have also been mandated as part of efforts to streamline delivery and reduce design and procurement delays.
Minister Browne said the focus now is on sustaining and expanding delivery levels in the coming years.
“These homes are not just units; they represent security, stability and opportunity for thousands of households,” he said.
“While this is a record year, we are driving on. The focus now is on sustaining and expanding this delivery, scaling further and ensuring that more people benefit from access to high-quality, secure homes.”
