42 new housing units began in the first four months of 2012 in Wexford, according to new statistics released by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF).  This represents a decrease of four units or 9% on the same period during 2011, when work began on 46 new units, according to the CIF’s latest Housing Statistics Bulletin.

Of the new units commenced 40 were single units, representing 95% of the total activity. 

 For the twelve month period up to the end of April of this year, 133 housing units were commenced in Wexford.  This compares with 261 commenced in the twelve months up to April 2011, a year on year decrease of 128 units or 49%. 

 There was also a decrease in the level of house completions in Wexford during the first five months of 2012.  Between January and May of this year 127 housing units were completed.  This compares with 177 during the same period in 2011, a decrease of 50 units or 28%. 

 Nationally the level of new house completions is down for the first five months with 3,283 housing units completed compared to 4,442 during the January to May period for 2011 – a drop of 1,160 units or 26%.  

 There has also been a sharp decrease in the number of houses commenced nationally with the statistics revealing a drop of 31% as 1,212 new housing units were commenced between January and April compared to 1,751 for the same timeframe in 2011. 

 A total of 10,480 housing units were completed during 2011.  The CIF has predicted that between 7,500 – 8,000 units will be completed during 2012.