A record 76,954 houses and apartments were built in Ireland in 2004, up 11.8% on the previous year.
Housing Minister Noel Ahern said Ireland was building houses at a much higher rate than other EU countries, with 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 County Dublin was the local authority area which saw most house completions at 7,734. In Cork County Council, there were 5,912.
The Minister said he expected considerable growth in the output of affordable housing with around 11,000 units built between 2005 and 2007.
