Rush for build-to-rent as plans for more than 6,000 properties are tabled in just five days

The applications for the 6,008 residential units represent one-third of the 18,072 residential units completed throughout Ireland in 2018.

Some 2,814, or 47pc, of the total are for build-to-rent apartment developments for the capital.

The new figures from An Bord Pleanála show that the stampede by developers to construct large-scale housing and apartment developments continues under the Government's fast-track planning rules.

It also comes amid reports that Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe is examining the tax arrangements of so-called cuckoo funds, which are operating a build-to-rent model.

The plans for the 6,008 new residential units received by An Bord Pleanála last week follow the appeals board receiving plans for 1,500 units in the prior week.

The surge in application comes ahead of an upcoming review of the Government's Strategic Housing Development fast-track planning rules.

The largest planning application put before the appeals board for consultation is by Arbeten Ltd for 1,009 build-to-rent apartments at the former CB Packaging site in Clondalkin, Dublin.

Development Ocht has plans for 492 build-to-rent apartments at lands at Concord Industrial Estate, Naas Road, Walkinstown, Dublin.

Elsewhere in the capital, Ardstone Homes Ltd is to seek planning for 594 units at Beechpark and Maryfield, Scholarstown Road, broken down between 482 build-to-rent units and 112 which will be sold.

Steelworks Property Developments Ltd is also seeking to build 336 build-to-rent apartments at Cookstown Industrial Estate Road in Tallaght.

At the former Chivers factory site in Coolock, Dublin 17, Platinum Land Ltd is seeking to construct 495 build-to-rent apartments.

The figures published by An Bord Pleanála show that of the 15 separate applications, 10 relate to Dublin for 4,207 residential units.

Three applications have been made for sites around Cork, totalling 1,447 properties. Cairn Homes is seeking to build 472 units at Douglas; Longview Estates is seeking to construct 753 units at Ballyvolane over 10 years; and Ash Grove Land Ltd is looking to build 222 units at Cobh.

Cairn Homes is one of the country's largest house builders and is also seeking to build 278 homes at Balgriffin Park Lands, Dublin 17. Glenveagh has plans for a total of 750 residential units. These include 196 apartments at Balroy House, Carpenterstown Road, Castleknock, and 554 apartments at East Road, Dublin 3.