Planning permissions granted for new residential units in Ireland rose by 60 percent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, according to official figures published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

A total of 11,912 dwelling units received planning approval between April and June, up from 7,447 units during the same period in 2025. The figure represents the highest quarterly approval total recorded since the fourth quarter of 2021, following a 1.0 percent annual decline in the first quarter of 2026.

Approved houses accounted for 53 percent of all units in the second quarter, totaling 6,275 approvals—a 33 percent increase year-on-year. Apartment permissions surged by 107 percent to reach 5,637 units, comprising 47 percent of all approved dwellings.

Regional statistics showed significant increases in major urban centers. Across Dublin's four local authority areas, approvals rose 78.5 percent annually to 3,241 units, including 2,412 apartments. Cork recorded 3,234 approved units, driven by a 302 percent increase in apartment approvals to 1,775 units.

CSO statistician Shane O'Sullivan noted that the overall jump in approvals was led primarily by apartment developments across urban regions. Commenting on the release, Minister of State for Local Government and Planning John Cummins stated that the increase reflected state measures intended to incentivize residential development, particularly for urban apartments.

In its release, the CSO included a standard advisory note, cautioning that quarterly permission figures can vary significantly based on the timing and approval of large-scale developments.