A total of 79,954 houses and apartments were built in Ireland in 2004, up 11.8% on the previous year.
The Junior Minister with responsibility for housing, Noel Ahern, said houses are being built at a much higher rate than other EU countries at over 19 houses per 1,000 people.
In Dublin, there was an 11.3% increase in housing activity with 16,810 units built. In the greater Dublin area, which includes counties Kildare, Meath and Wicklow, along with Dublin city and county, the number was 25,915.
Fingal County Council in Co Dublin was the local authority area which saw the most house completions at 7,734.
In Cork County Council, there were 5,912.
Mr Ahern said he expected considerable growth in the output of affordable housing with around 11,000 units built between 2005 and 2007.
