Number of residential buildings under construction topped 30,000 in June
New GeoDirectory Residential Buildings Report shows a 27.8% increase in construction activity, while 37,128 new address points recorded
GeoDirectory Q2 2026 Residential Buildings Report Findings:
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30,508 residential buildings were classified as under construction as of Q2 2026, representing a 27.8% year-on-year increase.
- 37,128 new residential address points were added to the GeoDirectory database in the twelve months to June 2026.
- The national vacancy rate remained unchanged at 3.7% as of Q2 2026, with 81,373 vacant units recorded nationwide. Vacancy rates decreased year-on-year in 15 out of 26 counties surveyed.
- As of Q2 2026, there were a total of 19,137 properties listed as derelict, a fall of 3.5% compared to the same period in 2025.
A total of 30,508 residential buildings were recorded as being under construction across the country as of Q2 2026, according to the latest GeoDirectory Residential Buildings Report, prepared by EY. The report found that the level of residential construction activity has increased by 27.8% compared to Q2 2025.
The highest proportion of residential buildings under construction were located in Dublin (6,107), with activity also notably strong in Cork (3,770), Meath (2,192), Louth (2,061) and Galway (1,968).
Residential Address Points
37,128 residential address points were added to the GeoDirectory database in the twelve months to June 2026, representing a 12.5% year-on-year increase. Dublin accounted for over a third of these new address points, with 12,524 dwellings recorded, followed by Cork (4,154), Kildare (2,744), Galway (2,235) and Meath (1,964). In Leitrim, just 94 new residential address points were added to the GeoDirectory database, with Longford (116) and Carlow (161) the only other counties to record fewer than 250 additions.
Vacancy Rate and Dereliction
The national residential vacancy rate remained unchanged at 3.7%, although year-on-year decreases were observed in 15 out of 26 counties surveyed. In total, 81,373 residential units were classified as vacant in Q2 2026.The highest vacancy rates in June 2026 were found in the west and north-west of the country, with Leitrim (11.5%), Mayo (10.3%), Roscommon (9.9%), Donegal (8.9%) and Sligo (8.3%) topping the national table. At just 1.4%, Dublin was the county with the lowest residential vacancy rate, while Kildare (1.6%), Waterford (2.2%), Meath (2.4%) and Wicklow (2.4%) all registered rates lower than 2.5%.
19,137 properties were listed as derelict in June 2026. The number of derelict units has fallen by 3.5% compared to Q2 2025. The highest concentration of derelict properties was in Mayo, with 14.2% of the national total.
Property Transactions and Average House Prices
49,666 residential property transactions took place in the twelve months to May 2026, according to CSO data. The national average house price was €437,631 during this period, an increase of 4.7% compared to the previous year. With the exception of Longford, the average house price increased in every county.Residential property prices were highest in Dublin, with an average of €596,997 per transaction. The highest average property price in the capital was recorded in Dublin 6, at €1,019,942. Wicklow (€527,282) and Kildare (€451,485) were the only other counties with an average transaction price above the state average.
The lowest average house prices in the 12 months to May 2026 were registered in Longford (€209,146), Donegal (€229,640) and Leitrim (€235,714).
Following the release of the latest GeoDirectory Residential Buildings Report, Dara Keogh, CEO of GeoDirectory said,
The past twelve months has seen a considerable surge in residential construction activity and new address points recorded. The figures suggest that the medium-to-long term outlook is improving, but demand continues to outpace supply in the present, with house prices continuing to rise and vacancy rates remaining at record low levels.
Simon MacAllister, Partner at EY said, “Passing the 30,000 mark for homes under construction represents a significant milestone for the sector, while the more than 37,000 address points added in the year to June demonstrate strong momentum in housing delivery. We are seeing much of this activity clustered in high-growth commuter areas, reflecting where population growth and housing demand are most acute. The challenge now is to maintain this pace of delivery and ensure more new housing is brought to the market.”