Research Reveals Ireland’s Best Councils for New Home Approvals

29 April 2026

Cork County Council granted 3,182 one-off house permissions; Galway City Council, only 139

New analysis of county planning data from 2021 to 2025 by BCE Consulting Engineers shows that Cork is Ireland’s one-off house capital after recording the highest number of planning permissions granted for one-off homes over the past five years.

Commenting on the figures, Stephen Boyle, Founder of BCE Consulting Engineers, said,

These figures show that one-off housing remains a hugely important part of Ireland’s housing market, whether its young families looking to build their forever home or someone hoping to live locally.”

Ireland’s Top 10 One-Off House Hotspots

Based on Central Statistic Office (CSO) data on planning permissions granted between 2021 and 2025, BCE Consulting Engineers’ research offers a fresh insight into where one-off housing remains strongest in Ireland.

Cork County Council granted 3,182 permissions, placing it comfortably ahead of the rest of the country. Other interesting planning points uncovered by BCE Consulting Engineers include:

2021 was the best year for planning permissions granted, with 7,499, while 2024 (4,906) was the least productive.
Galway City Council granted the least amount of planning permissions across five years, with 139.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, where the median price of a house in the 12 months to February 2026 was €681,500, granted 347 one-off house permissions.

While granted permissions don’t always become completed homes,” Stephen says, “they’re still a strong indicator of where demand to build remains active. At a time when housing supply is under pressure, supporting well-planned development is more important than ever.”

Stark Five-Year Drop Off

Some notable decreases in planning permissions granted were recorded across the county. Granted applications in County Louth fell from 253 to 91 between 2021 and 2025, a massive drop of 64%, while in County Monaghan, granted applications fell by 51%. Offaly applications fell from 196 to 122 between 2021 and 2025, a drop of 37.8%, while in Galway, planning permissions granted fell from 616 to 490, a drop of 20.5% over five years. Stephen says that decreases can be down to one of several factors, including the number of applications submitted, land availability, planning timelines and wider economic conditions.

Still, a self-build is the only option for many, as the latest CSO figures show Irish residential property prices rose 6.8% in the 12 months to February 2026, while the median home price nationally is now €390,000. The highest median price in the country was recorded in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (€681,500), while outside of Dublin, prices increased by 7.8% year-on-year. This, Stephen says, highlights how housing pressure isn’t just concentrated on Dublin, but regional markets, too.

The Self-Build Process in Ireland: Step by Step

Given his years of experience, Stephen has offered his step-by-step overview of self-building in Ireland to those who are considering turning the sod:

Choose Your Site: Secure land ownership or purchase a site, and have a solicitor confirm clear title.
Consult an Engineer Early: Engage a qualified engineer to assess feasibility, design, budget and site requirements.
Apply for Planning Permission: New homes require planning permission, while pre-planning meetings can be valuable, too.
Secure Finance: Arrange a self-build mortgage or funding. Funds are usually released in stages.
Design and Tender: Prepare detailed drawings and invite builders to quote for the project.
Construction Begins: Register the build with Building Control Management System (BCMS) and begin works with your contractor.
Inspections and Sign-Off: Key inspections take place during the build before a Completion Certificate is issued.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a House in Ireland?

When asked about the cost of self-building a home in Ireland, Stephen said that the cost can vary significantly depending on size, location, specification and build type. A useful starting point, he says, is cost per square metre.

Take County Cork, for example, where SCSI estimates from 2024 placed semi-detached builds in County Cork at around €2,720/m² and detached homes at €2,980/m². Outside of Cork City, many standard homes may range from €2,000 to €2,500/m². Take County Cork, for example, where SCSI estimates from 2024 placed semi-detached builds in County Cork at around €2,720/m² and detached homes at €2,980/m². Outside of Cork City, many standard homes may range from €2,000 to €2,500/m².