Over 2,000 Wicklow homes commenced construction in last 12 months
Stock image of housing construction.
Some 2,109 houses commenced construction last year in Co Wicklow, representing the highest number of commencements achieved in a year since recording began in 2014.
Monthly data from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the number of commencements notices or residential construction starts for 2024, reveal that nationally there were 60,243 new homes commenced, up 84pc from the 32,801 recorded in 2023. This equates to, on average, 239 new homes commenced every working day during 2024.
In Wicklow, 2,109 houses commenced construction last year, compared to 1,490 in 2023, 1,111 in 2022 and 1,522 in 2021.
A total of 151 commencements took place in the Garden County in January of last year, 220 in February, 135 in March, 652 in April, 33 in May, 136 in June, 17 in July, 69 in August, 385 in September, 69 in October, 58 in November and 185 in December.
Welcoming the figures, Senator Pat Casey said: "I’m delighted that these figures have confirmed positive momentum in housing supply here in Wicklow. This is positive progress for our communities here and we need these and more new homes to be delivered.
"As a party, Fianna Fáil has placed a top priority on doing everything we can to help people to afford to buy or rent a home. I am pleased that these statistics show we are making progress, that homes are being built and my focus will be on doing whatever I can to keep this positive momentum going.”
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien said: “Strong figures on home starts in 2024 confirm that a robust stock of new housing is in the pipeline. Government initiatives such as the development levy waiver and the Úisce Éireann rebate have had a positive impact in getting projects off the ground with the ultimate goal of increasing our housing supply to meet housing needs.
“This significant rise in housing supply will enable more people to become homeowners and also help increase access to a wider range of secure housing options.”