Waterford housing growth up 7.3 per cent in last 12 months

Waterford housing growth was up 7.3% with over 1,000 new starts in last 12 months.

That's according to Minister of State for Planning & Local Government, John Cummins TD, who welcomed what he said was continued growth in housing delivery across County Waterford.

According to figures from the Central Statistics Office, new figures show local completions increased by 7.3% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period last year.

More than 1,000 new homes have also commenced construction in Waterford over the last 12 months, which Minister Cummins said underlined sustained momentum in housing supply across the county.

Nationally, the CSO data showed 7,856 new dwellings were completed between January and March 2026 – a 32.9% increase on Q1 2025 and the highest first-quarter total since records began in 2011.

A total of 177 new homes were completed in Waterford during the first three months of this year, reflecting continued local progress as delivery accelerates nationwide.

Minister Cummins said: “It’s great that almost 8,000 homes have been completed in the first three months of this year, these are positive figures. This is a direct result of the changes implemented by Government to stimulate supply – development levy waivers, Uisce Eireann refund scheme, VAT changes for apartments – all measures which were opposed by opposition."

"Thankfully, we’re now seeing that come through in terms of completion figures," he said.

"These are positive signals, but nobody is resting on their laurels.” 

Minister Cummins said a significant push will continue in the months ahead as part of the Government’s Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030 Action Plan.

“We have a significant amount of work to do to increase our housing output to reach our target of 300,000 homes by the end of 2030, and that remains our focus – every day of the week," he said.

"We are helping first-time buyers to get their foot on the ladder with the First Home Scheme, Help to Buy and the Starter Home Purchase Scheme," he added.

He also said that over 6,000 cost rental units have been delivered nationally from a standing start less than two and a half years ago along with over 12,000 approvals for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. 

"All of these measures are really helping people, but of course we need to do more, and housing remains the number one priority of this Government and we’re working every day to ensure this positive momentum continues," he said.