New figures show building started on over 30,000 homes in 2021.
The stats, released as part of an update on the government’s housing plan, show commencements are now at the highest level since 2008.
But this is still below the government's target of 33,000 per year, as it aims to tackle spiraling house prices.
Housing expert Rory Hearne says urgent action is needed.
"House prices are rising significantly - we've gone from in 2013 the median house price was four times the median income.
"To now at a point where we're seeing in dublin the median house price is eight times the median income.
"And across the country in Wicklow, Kildare and Cork - housing has become severely unaffordable."
