Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures show that the number of homes granted planning permission fell slightly in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. 8,092 represented a 1% decrease year on year for the first three months, while the number of apartments receiving permission fell by 2.5% to 3,153.

In contrast, the number of one-off houses receiving planning permission in Q1 2026 rose by 12.4%, up from 1,230 units last year to 1,382 units in the first three months of the year. Apparently the Government is preparing to relax rules for rural one-off housing in a bid to increase the supply of these kind of builds.

Figures in the capital showed an annual fall of 34% in the number of homes approved for planning permission in the first quarter of the year. According to figures released by the Central Statistics Office, 1,452 dwelling units received approval in Dublin in the first three months of the year.

Of these, the number of apartments approved was down by 31.6%, while the number of houses approved decreased by 39.7%, falling from 643 units to 388 units.

Despite that, Shane O’Sullivan, CSO Statistician in the Housing Division stated, “Dublin had the highest number of apartment units granted planning permission in the state in Q1 2026 at 1,064 apartments or 34% of all apartments and accounted for 8% of house units approved (388).”

The South East, comprising Waterford, Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny, and Tipperary, benefited from rising activity in one-off house approvals. Though multi-unit development scheme approvals dropped across the region, aligning with a marginal 1% national decline in residential permissions.

The south-west region, including Cork and Kerry, had the highest proportion of new houses approved in the first three months of the year with 21.2% of all houses granted permission.

The CSO did stated that the number of new dwelling units granted planning permission can change significantly from quarter to quarter if a large development or a number of large developments are approved. “Users should therefore exercise caution in extrapolating long-term trends on the basis of a single quarter’s data.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Housing said that in addition to new planning permissions each quarter, there remains a large pool of inactivated permissions.

 

 

NB – This is a guide for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have an issue requiring legal advice, please contact any of the team at Nolan Farrell & Goff LLP, whose numbers can be found on our website www.nfg.ie, or email info@nfg.ie.