One-Off Home Planning Permissions Surge 12.4% in Q1 2026
Sunday 28 June 2026
New figures from the Central Statistics Office show a rise in planning approvals for one-off homes in Ireland during the first quarter of 2026, despite a drop in Dublin.
Planning permissions granted for one-off Irish homes rose by 12.4% in the first quarter of 2026, despite a minor dip in overall approvals.
According to new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), a total of 8,092 new homes were granted planning permission in the first three months of 2026. This represents a 1% decrease compared to the 8,177 approvals recorded during the same period in 2025.
Within these figures, the number of planning permissions for one-off houses increased to 1,382, up from 1,230 in Q1 2025. Conversely, the number of apartments approved fell by 2.7%, while permissions for multi-unit houses remained static.
Regional Variations
The national statistics hide significant regional differences. The south-west region, which comprises Cork and Kerry, accounted for 21.2% of all new houses approved during the first quarter.
In contrast, Dublin experienced a sharp decline in planning approvals. Across Dublin's four local authorities, the number of approved dwelling units fell by 34% on an annual basis, dropping to 1,452 units.
Market Commentary and Data Volatility
The CSO has noted that quarterly planning permission numbers can exhibit high volatility. This variation often occurs when large-scale residential developments are either approved or delayed in a given quarter, causing significant swings in the overall data.
Commenting on the figures, Trevor Grant, chair of Irish Mortgage Advisors, highlighted the importance of securing a consistent flow of planning approvals. Grant emphasised the ongoing need for a steady pipeline of approved residential developments to meet market demands.