Ireland: housing

How many new homes are being built in Ireland?

8,823 new dwellings were completed in Ireland in the second quarter of 2026, 3.6% fewer than in the same quarter of 2025, according to the CSO, released on 30 July 2026. Apartment completions fell 12.2% to 2,658, scheme dwelling completions rose 2% to 4,738, and single dwellings fell 3.7% to 1,427.

The CSO counts completions using new connections to the electricity network. Completions fell 16.4% in the Dublin region, which accounted for 36% of the total. Quarterly figures are affected by the timing of large schemes, so annual totals give a steadier picture.

Official sources: CSO: New Dwelling Completions Q2 2026

How many people are homeless in Ireland?

17,885 people were in State-funded emergency accommodation in Ireland in August 2026, including 12,055 adults and 5,830 children, according to the Department of Housing's Monthly Homelessness Report, published on 25 September 2026. There were 2,800 families.

The figures count people in emergency accommodation funded by local authorities during a count week, so they do not include people sleeping rough, people staying with friends or family, or asylum seekers in International Protection accommodation. In the second quarter of 2026, 2,904 people either left emergency accommodation for a secure tenancy or were prevented from entering it.

Official sources: Department of Housing: Monthly Homelessness Report August 2026 (PDF)

How many first-time buyers are there in Ireland?

1,811 first-time buyer purchases were filed with the Revenue Commissioners in Ireland in August 2026, according to the CSO Residential Property Price Index, released on 13 October 2026. In total, 4,279 household purchases worth €1.95 billion were filed, made up of 3,241 existing and 1,038 new dwellings.

The median price of a dwelling bought in the 12 months to August 2026 was €400,000, ranging from €199,000 in Longford to €685,000 in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. Purchase counts come from stamp duty filings, so they are recorded when the sale is filed.

Official sources: CSO: Residential Property Price Index August 2026

How much have mortgage costs risen in Ireland?

Mortgage interest costs in Ireland's Consumer Price Index were 10.2% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier and rose 0.9% in the month, according to the CSO. Private rents rose 4.7% over the year and local authority rents 12.7%.

The CPI mortgage interest measure tracks the interest paid by households with mortgages, so it rises with interest rates and with the size of outstanding loans. Households on fixed rates are not affected until their fixed period ends. The Central Bank of Ireland publishes mortgage interest rates by type.

Official sources: CSO: Consumer Price Index September 2026

How many homes are vacant in Ireland?

163,433 dwellings were vacant in Ireland in April 2022, 11% fewer than in 2016, according to the CSO's Census 2022 Profile 2 – Housing in Ireland. Just under 48,000 homes that were vacant in the 2016 census were also vacant in 2022.

Vacant dwellings are those unoccupied on census night, excluding holiday homes. The housing stock was 2,112,121. The next census is planned for 2027, so 2022 is the most recent full count.

Official sources: CSO: Census 2022 Profile 2 – Housing in Ireland

How many people in Ireland live in cities?

According to the UN Population Division, the share of people living in urban areas in Ireland was 64.6% in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 69.6%, and Ireland placed 33rd highest of 52. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 91st highest.

What share of Ireland's city dwellers live in slums?

UN-Habitat puts the share of city dwellers living in slums in Ireland at 8.5% in 2022. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2006. It is 3rd highest of 43 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 0.3%. World rank, highest first: 100th of 170.

What is the electricity access rate in Ireland?

The World Bank puts the share of people with access to electricity in Ireland at 100.0% in 2024. The figure has been the same every year since 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 100.0%, and Ireland placed 1st highest of 52. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 1st highest.

What share of people in Ireland have safe drinking water?

In 2024, the share of people using safely managed drinking water in Ireland was 96.1%, according to WHO and UNICEF. No year since 2005 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: 96.7%; Ireland is 29th highest of 51. Worldwide: 41st of 134.

What share of people in Ireland have safe sanitation?

In 2024, the share of people using safely managed sanitation in Ireland was 81.3%, according to WHO and UNICEF. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 30th highest of 45 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 90.2%. Worldwide: 46th of 134.

What share of homes in Ireland cook with clean fuels?

According to the WHO, the share of people using clean cooking fuels in Ireland was 100.0% in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 1st highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 99.0%. World rank, highest first: 1st of 192.