New figures show the rate of new houses being built fell sharply towards the end of last year - after a strong start.
According to the National Construction Index - planning applications rose by around 12 per cent - and there was a 30 per cent increase in the number of projects getting underway.
But, that rate of growth fell sharply in the final quarter.
Danny O'Shea is the Managing Director Link2Plans, which compiles the index:
