A total of 509 new homes were built in Westmeath in 2023, Local Fine Gael Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke said this week, representing an increase of 100 homes on the previous year’s figures of 409 for 2023.
“The recently released CSO figures show we are making steady and real progress on new builds. A total of 32,695 new homes were built around Ireland last year, representing an increase of 10% from 2022. In October, November and December of last year, over 10,000 new homes were completed, which was an increase of 13% on 2022.
“The signs of this accelerated progress on new homes is clear in Westmeath with many projects coming to completion. It is great to see lights on and cars parked outside the many new developments in Athlone, offering a bright future for those individuals, couples and families who now live in them.
“This is the highest level of home building in 15 years. Under Fine Gael, home building has increased from just 5,000 per year to almost 33,000 – more than a massive six fold increase. 500 first time buyers are drawing down their mortgage each week – this too is the highest level of first time buyer activity in 15 years since the economic crash.
“In 2017, the Help to Buy scheme was launched, providing first time buyers with up to €30,000 in the form of an income tax rebate towards the cost of a deposit. This was then further expanded and enhanced in 2020.
“The government launched its ambitious Housing for All plan in 2021 and the following year, in 2022, the First Home Scheme was launched, bridging the gap for eligible purchasers between their deposit and mortgage, and the price of their new home. These are just two of several schemes introduced to be a real help to people getting a home.
“These housing completion figures demonstrate what we can see happening around us in Westmeath that more houses are coming on the market. But behind these figures are the people, individuals, couples and families, who now own their own homes.
“This momentum will continue to deliver housing in communities around the constituency and realise the dream of so many to own their own home. Housing for All is becoming a reality, the figures back that up,” Minister Burke said.
