New home completions came in at 36,284 for 2025, which was up 20 per cent on the previous year and ahead of expectations. Photograph: iStockWould the Government trade some of its impressive GDP (gross domestic product) performance for a more pronounced rise in new home completions? The Irish economy grew by 12.6 per cent in GDP terms last year, according to preliminary estimates. The bulge in 2025 was down to the front-loading of exports into the US to avoid tariffs, something that will unwind next year, resulting in much lower GDP growth. GDP fell by 0.6 per cent in the final quarter of 2025 “as these export patterns normalised”, AIB chief economist David McNamara noted.

Source: The Irish Times January 29, 2026 21:52 UTC