'Really positive news' - O'Brien confirms almost 3k homes began construction in March

The Minister for Housing has confirmed almost 3,000 homes began construction in March 2022. 

Minister Darragh O'Brien confirmed the news - which he called "really positive" - through social media today (Friday April 22). 

According to the minister, commencement notices for 2,809 homes were received in March, a figure 21% higher than the number of notices received in February 2022 (2,327 units). 

Almost 35,000 commencement notices for new residential homes - indicating construction has commenced - were received in the past twelve months between April 2021 and March 2022. 

It's the highest rolling 12-month total since comparable data was first published, with the exception of 2020 when building restrictions were in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The number of notices received in March 2022 is 190% higher than March 2021, according to the Department of Housing. 

However, restrictions on construction activity were in place in February 2021 for public health reasons.