Almost 900 new homes commenced in Offaly in the last two years – McCormack

New data from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage shows that housing construction activity in Offaly has increased significantly, with almost 900 new homes commenced over the past two years.

A total of 889 housing units were started across the county in 2024 and 2025 combined. This represents a 32 per cent increase on the 674 units commenced during the previous two-year period from 2022 to 2023, highlighting a strong uplift in construction activity in Offaly.

Nationally, December saw a sharp rise in housing commencements, with 3,065 new home starts recorded across the country — double the figure from the previous month.

Commenting on the figures, Fianna Fáil TD Tony McCormack said housing remains the Government’s number one priority.

He said the increase in commencements reflects key policy changes introduced in the first year of Government, which have provided greater certainty within the housing sector alongside significant funding commitments.

While welcoming the progress, Deputy McCormack said more work remains to be done.

“The signs are encouraging, particularly in Offaly, where over 2,000 units have been commenced over the past five years,” he said. “However, we are acutely aware that this is not enough, and we must and will do more.”

He pointed to recent actions taken by the Government, including measures introduced by Minister Browne and the rollout of the new Housing Action Plan, as key steps toward accelerating delivery.

Looking ahead, Deputy McCormack said the benefits of the Housing Action Plan would become increasingly evident in 2026 and beyond.

“Having a place to call home is one of the most basic and essential needs in life,” he said. “The new Housing Action Plan is designed to create the best possible environment for delivering homes, alongside the necessary infrastructure such as water, electricity and roads.”

He added that as the plan is implemented with urgency, housing commencements are expected to continue to rise year on year, with Fianna Fáil committed to building on the foundations of Housing for All and maintaining momentum for faster housing delivery.