December Commencements 2025

• 3,065 homes commenced in December 2025
• Total of 16,412 homes commenced throughout 2025
• Data relating to Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) now available

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has published its monthly data on the number of Commencement Notices received (indicators of residential construction starts) for December 2025, as well as the total number of Commencement Notices received throughout 2025 as a whole. Data relating to the use of Modern Methods of Construction in new commencements is also now available.

The data shows that 3,065 commencement notices for new homes were lodged in December - an increase from November's 1,533 notices (up 100%).

For the whole of 2025, 16,412 commencement notices were received. This is down on 2024, which saw a sharp increase in activity resulting in a record 69,311 new homes, driven in part by the approaching end of development levy waivers leading to a late surge in activity for that year. However, across 2024 and 2025 combined, a total of 85,723 commencement notices were received. This represents an increase of 43% compared with the combined total for 2022 and 2023 (59,758 notices). Over the last five years (2021–2025), there have been 176,206 commencements in total.

Of all the homes commenced in December, 42% (1,278) were in the four Dublin local authorities. By Local Authority, the most units commenced were in Cork City (560), followed by South Dublin (509), and Dun-Laoghaire Rathdown (316). There were 2 units commenced in Carlow County, Leitrim County, Longford County and Roscommon County.

Of all the homes commenced throughout 2025 as a whole, 31% (5,074) were in the four Dublin local authorities. By Local Authority, the highest number of commencements were in Dublin City (2,304) followed by Cork City (1,501) and Fingal (1,328). The lowest number of homes commenced were in Leitrim (52).

Since May 2025, the Building Control Management System (BCMS) now records information relating to the main method of construction and main construction material when commencement notices are lodged. This allows for identification of where Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) are intended to be used.

Of all the homes commenced in December 2025, 41% recorded their main method of construction as using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).

For the second half of 2025 (July to December), 69% of scheme dwellings commenced are using MMC. For apartments, 44% are using MMC, with 10% of single dwellings using MMC. Overall 47% of units have been identified as being constructed using MMC.

For scheme dwellings, 61% have Timber Frame as their main construction material.

• Dec_2025_Monthly Commencements 2014-to-date
• Dec_2025_Monthly Commencements by MMC May 2025-to-date

An infographic has been created by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to explain the data tracking MMC and is available to view or download below