Planners approved plans for 40,556 homes last year, a 60 per cent fall on 2008.
Central Statistics Office figures revealed today that permission was granted for more than 26,800 houses and 13,742 apartments across the country in 2009, less than half the levels seen after the property market crashed in early 2007.
The CSO said plans were also approved for 8,713 one-off houses last year.
