The number of house completions in 2005 could exceed last year's record total as building in the Dublin area is proving to be exceptionally robust.
Figures from the Department of the Environment show that 54,394 units were completed in the first nine months of the year, an increase of 0.4 per cent on the corresponding period in 2004.
The report shows that 12,555 houses and apartments were built in Dublin, 3.3 per ahead of last year. In the greater Dublin area 19,023 units were completed - a 2.3 per cent increase on 2004.
The figures show a slight pick-up in the third quarter - 4.8 per cent more houses were built in that quarter when compared with the same summer period in 2004.
The Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal, Noel Ahern, said the figures indicate completions for 2005 will be broadly similar to the record level of 76,954 achieved last year.