'Shocking: As low as 2016' - Only 103 homes in Mayo commenced this year

In Mayo, there have only been 103 homes commenced this year, according to Aontú TD Paul Lawless.

The Mayo Deputy has raised alarm over the shockingly low levels of housing commencement in the county.

“This is a shocking figure,” said Deputy Lawless. “It represents the lowest level of building commencement notices in Mayo in almost a decade. The last time we saw numbers this low was back in 2016."

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Lawless slammed the government policy, stating "despite countless promises, announcements and record-breaking spending claims, we’re essentially right back where we started. The government’s rhetoric on housing may have shifted, but their delivery is going in reverse.”

He highlighted how recent figures compare unfavourably even to the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic:

"In the first half of 2016 there were 105 commencements in Mayo. In the same period for 2020 & 2021 (where construction was in & out lockdown) there were 152 and 199 respectively."

“Even at the height of lockdown, housing starts were significantly higher than the most recent figures,” he added. “Meanwhile nationally, commencements in the first half of 2025 plummeted to just 6,325—down from 34,000 over the same period last year.”

Deputy Lawless also warned that rising construction costs and VAT on materials are stifling development.

“We need to tackle the cost of building head-on. Aontú is calling for a zero VAT rate on construction materials to support builders and local contractors. Every extra euro added in tax is another barrier stopping people from building homes and living in their communities.”

“We are seeing young couples delaying having a family, young people emigrating in huge numbers. Those in Government seem to have a total sense of lethargy towards housing.”

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