No sign of apartment construction improving in Louth

Latest data from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage shows that there has been no improvement in the level of apartment construction in Louth this year, with construction beginning on just 13 apartments in the past 15 months.

The latest commencement data from the Department, shows that in March, work began on 46 new homes in Louth, up from 26 in February. Of this, six were one off units, and 40 were scheme houses - houses that form part of a multi-unit development.

November 2025 was the last month commencement began on apartments in Louth, when five new units were commenced. The only other month this year, or last year, where work began on apartment construction in Louth was June 2025, when work began on eight units.

So far this year, there has been an increase in the number of homes on which work has begun in Louth, compared to last year, with 173 new homes commenced in the first three months of 2026, compared to just 28 during the same period in 2025.

Nationally, work began on 2,939 new homes in March, down from 3,423 in February. It is up however, from 747 in March 2025. So far this year, work has begun on 8,408 new homes across the country, up from 2,961 during the same period in 2025.

Read also: Louth County Council's approval for 502 homes in Blackrock overturned

Of the 2,939 units commenced in March, 1,635, or 55%, are scheme dwellings, 932 (32%) are apartments and 372 (13%) are for one-off units.

By Local Authority, the most units commenced were in Fingal County (686), followed by South Dublin County (277) and Dun-Laoghaire Rathdown (178).

Of all units commenced in the first quarter of 2026 (January to March), 35% (2,921 units) were in the four Dublin local authorities.

By Local Authority, the most units commenced this year have been in Fingal County (1,048), followed by Dublin City (721) and South Dublin County (682).

Welcoming the latest figures, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, said: "It's great to once again see such strong figures with regard to the number of new homes being built throughout the country.

"To see these numbers growing month-on-month alongside positive data across other key indicators in the sector, such as the AIB Construction PMI survey earlier this week, it really shows that momentum is building in a way that puts us on the right track to meet the goals set out under our Housing Action Plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities.

“I have made it very clear that, as Minister, I intend to use every lever available, to minimise red tape and maximise delivery.

"This will require increased public delivery of social and affordable housing, but also a serious increase in private sector home building. Today's numbers reflect the very real and sustained progress being made in this regard.”