Number of new homes built in Cork increased by almost 15% in 2024, Taoiseach says, but 'more clearly needs to be done'

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that first-time buyer mortgage drawdowns and social housing provision are at the highest level in decades across Cork.

In a keynote speech, delivered on Friday at the Engineers Ireland Cork Region Annual Dinner, Mr Martin said despite positive progress, the government is determined to “build significantly” on the advancements made over the last number of years on the national housing crisis.

“We are all aware, housing is the major social and economic challenge facing this country,” said Mr Martin.

“Over 130,000 new homes have been constructed since 2020, [and] first time buyer mortgage drawdowns are at the highest level since 2007.

“Social housing provision is at its highest level since the 1970s.

“In 2024, the number of new homes built in Cork increased by almost 15% - but none of it is enough, and more clearly needs to be done.

“I am determined that we will take whatever steps are necessary to deliver the houses that our people need, that our society needs.” 

Mr Martin further said that the new Programme for Government sets out the government’s determination to increase the scale of ambition and to accelerate delivery of houses across Ireland.

“Over the term of this Government, we are going to build up construction capacity, implement the Planning and Development Act, increase innovation, and provide a stable policy environment to support us in attracting private investment, to work side by side with State investment,” said Mr Martin.

"One area of innovation I and the Government are focused on is the growing presence of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).

“I believe it has the potential to dramatically improve construction sector productivity, inventiveness, speed of delivery, and sustainability.

“We are prioritising the promotion of the widespread adoption of MMC into the various state housing delivery channels and we are working to ensure a much greater degree of integration and coordination across a range of MMC initiatives.”