Data published by the CSO this week showed that 3,238 planning applications were granted permission last year. This is a noticeable increase on the 2,243 approvals in 2022.
Housing experts are hoping that a sharp increase in supply in the Rebel County will help bring down skyrocketing house prices and ease the pressure on first-time buyers.
Nationally, 32,695 new homes were built in 2023 - this figure is 13% above the Government's Housing For All annual target of 29,000 houses.
Commenting on the figures, Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien TD, said: "Today’s positive figures indicate that the pipeline for much needed homes in Cork County and nationally is continuing to strengthen. Planning permissions were strong in 2023 and, in the same year, all our other key housing indicators continued on a positive trajectory.
“Nationally, last year, we saw the highest number of annual commencements nationally on record, up 21.5% compared to 2022 and the highest number since records began in 2014. Completions last year were the highest in 15 years, with 32,695 new homes completed exceeding Housing for All’s annual target of 29,000 by almost 13%.’’
"In line with Housing for All priorities to achieve compact and sustainable growth and revitalise urban centres, there was an annual rise of 40% in the number of multi-development houses receiving planning permission in 2023 throughout the country."
2023 also saw homelessness figures in Ireland hit record-high numbers several times throughout the year, with Cork consistently standing out as one of the worst affected counties nationwide.
Not all politicians are celebrating the Housing For All achievements, however, with West Cork TD Holly Cairns last month saying these targets are "too low", adding that she thinks the Government's goals "have set us up for failure."
The Social Democrats leader has pledged that her party will build 50,000 new homes annually if elected to Government in the next general election, which is expected to take next year at the latest. Political circles have also been rife with speculation that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar could call an election later this year.
The annual Housing For All targets have also been criticised by various housing spokespersons from other opposition parties like Sinn Féin, Labour and People Before Profit-Solidarity. Leo Varadkar has previously said that he believes the scheme is working and "making real progress."
Government figures have previously appealed to Irish construction workers who have emigrated to come back to Ireland and help build the large amount of houses that are needed to help solve Ireland's ongoing housing crisis.
