by Alan Jacques
FIGURES from the National Housing Construction Index for the first four months of 2015 show a sharp fall in activity in the residential construction sector in Limerick when compared to 2014.
The latest edition of the National Housing Construction Index from Link2Plans reveals that commencements in Limerick have fallen by -58 per cent in the first four months of 2015 when compared to the same period in 2014, while planning applications have also decreased slightly by -3 per cent year on year.
Nationally, commencements are down -51 per cent in the first two months of 2015 with ever county recording a decrease, while applications are up +18 per cent.
The data contained in the National Housing Construction Index is aggregated by consultancy Link2Plans from real time planning and project information in every local authority area, with the latest edition of the National Housing Construction Index tracking every project from January through to April 2015, and comparing it with the same period in 2014.
“When compared to previous years’ such as 2013, we do see growth in the construction sector, with the first four months of 2015 showing an increase of +11 per cent when compared to the same period in 2013,” explained Danny O’Shea, managing director of Link2Plans.
“When these figures are combined with the strong growth in planning applications, which have recorded increases for the past 18 months, the forecast for medium term remains positive.”
The statistics were revealed as other figures show that Limerick city and county property values have seen a substantial rise.
