Residential construction remained sluggish in the first two months of the year, according to the latest figures.
While there were increases in planning applications in 18 counties, the number of notified commencements fell dramatically, according to National House Construction Index data as aggregated by the Link2Plans.
Commencements are down a significant 62 per cent for the first two months of 2015 compared with the same period last year, but the consultants said this was a reflection of the surge in commencements lodged in 2014. The figure for this year is up 3 per cent on the 2013 one.
Planning applications nationally are up to 1,866, some 9 per cent above last year. However in Dublin they are down 4 per cent to 468.
According to Danny O’Shea, managing director of Link2Plans, the drop in commencement plans in the first two months is a reflection of the fact that changes introduced to building regulations in March 2014 caused an unprecedented surge in commencements in the first two months of that year.
Steady growth
The 3 per cent increase in the first two months of this year, compared with the same period two years ago, was probably a more accurate picture of the steady, but slow growth in the sector, he said.
Louth and Sligo saw the biggest growth in planning applications, with the former recording a 154 per cent jump and the latter 100 per cent. Longford (50 per cent), Kilkenny (47 per cent), Meath (44 per cent) and Laois (44 per cent) all recorded significant increases, with Tipperary, Kildare, Galway, Limerick, Offaly and Cavan, Mayo all recording drops.
