State-backed lender Home Building Finance Ireland (HBFI) increased its total loan approvals by 25 per cent to more than €3.3 billion by the end of December, new figures show. The body has now approved funding for 16,588 new homes in 233 developments across 25 counties. “It is positive to see a strong demand for HBFI products from SME home builders,” Tánaiste Simon Harris said. “A further new funding facility of €200 million will strengthen HBFI’s capacity to continue to provide funding where it is most needed. We need to help the SME sector to scale up activity to get to the level of house building our country needs.”

Source: The Irish Times January 28, 2026 14:14 UTC