Crane Survey Report 2026

This year's edition offers an in-depth look at construction activities across the following key sectors; Residential, Student Accommodation, Hotels and Offices.

• Economic Outlook: Ireland’s economy continues to demonstrate resilience, with Modified Domestic Demand forecast to grow by 3.8% in 2026 and 3.4% in 2027. However, renewed inflationary pressures and higher interest rates are contributing to a more challenging environment for real estate. 
  
• Residential Sector: Approximately 40,000 homes are expected to be completed in 2026, representing a 10% annual increase and the highest level of completions since 2008. However, the planning pipeline remains a challenge to sustaining housing delivery in the years ahead.
  
• Student Accommodation: 345 purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) bed spaces were delivered during Q1 to Q3 2026, with approximately 2,400 bed spaces across 11 schemes under construction at the end of Q3. These schemes are located across Dublin, Galway, Cork and Limerick.
• Hotel Sector: Approximately 2,080 new hotel rooms are expected to be added in 2026, with 3,540 rooms under construction nationwide at the end of Q3. Dublin continues to dominate hotel development, accounting for approximately 79% of rooms under construction. 
• Office Space: Approximately 93,900 sq m of new office space is expected to be delivered by the end of 2026. The development pipeline is expected to contract significantly thereafter, with just over 40,000 sq m of new and extensively refurbished office space under construction heading into 2027. 

The 2026 Deloitte Crane Survey highlights the need to sustain development activity and strengthen future supply across Ireland’s real estate market, as demand continues across the Residential, Student Accommodation, Hotel and Office sectors.

Deloitte Ireland remains committed to providing insights that help businesses, policymakers and investors navigate Ireland’s evolving real estate landscape and the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Explore the full report to understand the opportunities and challenges shaping Ireland's development landscape.

Key statistics