The number of new houses being finished in the State is on course to reach record levels in 2006, according to the Department of the Environment.
The Department's quarterly housing statistics bulletin released yesterday revealed 58,613 houses were completed in the first eight months of the year.
This represents an increase of almost 23 per cent on last year, and 2006 looks set to easily break last year's record of almost 81,000 completions. It will be the 13th consecutive increase in house completions.
A spokesman for the Department said the figures show the property sector "remains extremely buoyant," adding "completions are through the roof." He also said the figures showed high levels of building for social and affordable houses.
Total output of social houses provided in the first six months of 2006 amounted to 2,386 units, breaking down to 1,786 local authority, and 600 voluntary and co-operative houses.
A total of 3,801 social and affordable houses were being built at the end of June 2006.
