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REG-Cairn Homes Plc Cairn Homes Plc: Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

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Cairn Homes Plc (CRN)
Cairn Homes Plc: Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

27-Feb-2025 / 07:00 GMT/BST

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                               Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

                                         Delivered ROE1 of 15.1%

                                                     

Dublin / London,  27 February 2025:  Cairn Homes plc  (“Cairn”, the “Company”  or the “Group”)  (Euronext
Dublin: C5H / LSE: CRN) today announces its preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2024.

 

The Company delivered a very strong financial  and operating performance in 2024, delivering  significant
growth and a  ROE 1 1 of 15.1% against  the backdrop  of continuing favourable  market conditions.  Cairn
remains on track for another year of growth in volumes, revenue and profitability in 2025.

 

Financial Highlights                2024  2023    Movement
Revenue (€m)                        859.9 666.8     +29%
Gross margin (%)                    21.7% 22.1%    -40bps
Operating profit (€m)               150.0 113.4     +32%
Operating margin (%)                17.4% 17.0%    +40bps
Basic EPS (cent) 2 2                17.9c 12.7c     +41%
Dividend per share (DPS) (cent) 3 3 8.2c  6.3c      +30%
Total equity (€m)                   758.2 757.2    +€1.0m
ROE1 (%)                            15.1% 11.3%   +380bps
Net debt (€m)                       154.4 148.3    +€6.1m
Operating cash flow (€m)            134.7 107.0     +26%
                                                      

 

Sales Highlights 4 4                             As at 26 February 2025 As at 28 February 2024   Movement
                                                                                                
Closed & forward order book (units)                      2,593                  2,473              +5%
Closed & forward order book (value net of VAT)           €989m                  €946m              +5%
Closed & forward average selling price (net of           €382k                  €383k              -€1k
VAT)

 

Key Financial Highlights

  • Generated  revenues  of  €859.9  million,  a  29%  increase  on  2023  (€666.8  million)  from  2,241
    units 5 5 (2023: 1,741 units).
  • Our average selling  price (net of  VAT) during the  period was €383,000  (2023: €389,000) 6 6.  This
    competitive price point  has been achieved  by driving  significant efficiency and  innovation as  we
    continue to deliver value for money for our customers.
  • Gross profit of €187.0 million  (2023: €147.6 million), resulting in  a gross margin of 21.7%  (2023:
    22.1%).
  • Operating costs of 4.3% of revenue  (2023: 5.1%) as we continue  to drive productivity in our  scaled
    operating platform.
  • Basic EPS increased by 41% to 17.9 cent (2023: 12.7 cent).
  • Returned €115.3 million  to shareholders  through our share  buyback programmes  and our  progressive
    dividend policy.
  • DPS3 increased by 30%  to 8.2 cent (2023:  6.3 cent), including proposed  final dividend of 4.4  cent
    (subject to  shareholder approval  at our  AGM  on 8  May 2025)  representing a  payout  ratio 7 7 of
    approximately 46%.
  • Generated €134.7 million in operating  cash flow, a 26% increase  on the €107.0 million generated  in
    2023.
  • Invested €99.5 million (2023: €57.9 million) on strategic land acquisitions, underpinning our  future
    growth.
  • Net debt of €154.4 million (2023: €148.3 million).
  • In February  2025, the  Company successfully  completed a  refinancing of  its sustainability  linked
    syndicate facility with Allied Irish  Banks plc, Bank of Ireland  and Home Building Finance  Ireland,
    increasing it by €75 million to €402.5 million and extending the duration to June 2029 with an option
    to extend a further year.  The Company now has  access to €460 million  of facilities to support  the
    continued growth into the medium term.

 

Key Operational and Sustainability Highlights

  • Significantly invested in our construction activities with over 4,100 new homes commencements  (2023:
    2,162), including  10 new  large-scale developments.  This  will see  us significantly  increase  our
    construction work-in-progress (WIP) spend in 2025.
  • Continued focus on driving efficiencies in our construction activities from our scale, innovation and
    digital construction agenda resulted in build cost inflation of less than 2%.
  • Our closed and forward order  book has increased to  2,593 new homes with a  net sales value of  €989
    million. This compares to a closed and forward order  book value of €946 million and 2,473 new  homes
    at this time last year.
  • Entered into a number of forward fund  transactions 8 8 which will see us deliver c.2,150 social  and
    affordable homes  over a  multi-year  period. We  are  progressing a  number  of other  forward  fund
    transactions which we expect to enter into in H2 2025.
  • Continued our  commitment  to  be  a  leader  in  sustainable  construction  with  72%  of  our  2024
    commencements on Biodiversity Net Gain sites. 
  • With over 2,000  new homes commenced,  we continue to  achieve significant momentum  at our  flagship
    Seven Mills development with over 3,500 people expected to  be living in this new town by the end  of
    2025.
  • Won the prestigious  Green Transformation  Award at  the Green Awards  2025 recognising  our role  as
    Ireland’s first developer to  build new homes to  the Passive House standard  at scale. We will  have
    commenced 2,750-3,000 new homes to Passive House standard by the end of 2025.
  • Ranked in Time Magazine’s Top 100 global companies (Top Three in Ireland) for ‘World’s Best Companies
    in Sustainable  Growth  2025’,  which  identifies companies  globally  that  have  demonstrated  both
    outstanding financial and environmental performance.

 

Macroeconomic and Housing Backdrop

  • Ireland remains one of  the strongest performing  economies in the EU  with modified domestic  demand
    forecast to increase from 3.9% to  4.1% in 2025 (source: ESRI). It  continues to benefit from a  more
    normalised inflation environment  (1.4% in December  2024), record and  near full employment,  strong
    consumer spending and a growing population.
  • The Programme of  the newly  elected Government has  outlined various  supportive measures  including
    extending Help to Buy and First Homes Schemes for first time buyers (“FTB”) to 2030.
  • The Government  is also  seeking  to reform  infrastructure, delivery  and  planning to  support  the
    acceleration of housing delivery to  over 300,000 new homes by  2030. Annual completion targets  have
    significantly increased with a target of averaging  50,000 new homes per annum announced in  November
    2024, increasing to 60,000 by 2030. This includes building an average of over 12,000 new social homes
    per annum.
  • Mortgage market conditions remain positive. FTB mortgage drawdowns for new homes in 2024 were at €3.1
    billion, an increase of over 13%  in volume and 15% in value  compared to 2023 (source: BPFI).  Green
    mortgages are also  available for  A2 rated  new Cairn homes  at meaningful  discounts to  equivalent
    standard fixed rates.

 

Outlook and Guidance

We expect 2025 to be another  strong year as we look  to leverage our operational competitive  advantages
into the medium term. Reflecting  the positive business environment the  Company will continue to  expand
our investment in our construction activities this year whilst distributing surplus cash flow and capital
to shareholders.

 

The Company is providing guidance for FY25 as follows:

 

  • Revenue growth in excess of 10%;
  • Operating profit of c.€160 million; and
  • ROE1 of c.15.5%.

 

Commenting on the results, Michael Stanley, CEO, said:

“We took a material step,  right across our business, in  operational performance and volume delivery  in
2024. We also made significant progress in our financial performance based on a foundation of  continuous
and substantial investment in the  delivery of new homes  for private buyers and  for the State. We  will
continue to be  relentless in  driving efficiencies through  scale, innovation,  digital and  sustainable
construction to deliver new homes at pace, scale and  value for money. We look forward to another  strong
year of growth in housing output.

 

The newly elected Government has put new home delivery front and centre in its Programme for  Government.
While policy makers give due  consideration to the strategic  challenges surrounding housing delivery  in
the medium term, there  are numerous quick wins  that can deliver substantially  more homes in the  short
term. This is the  time for the  Government to be  brave and I  have confidence that  we and the  broader
industry will respond in kind”.

 

For further information, contact:

 

Cairn Homes plc          +353 1 696 4600

Michael Stanley, Chief Executive Officer

Richard Ball, Chief Financial Officer

Stephen Kane, Director of Corporate Finance & Investor Relations

Ailbhe Molloy, Investor Relations Manager

 

Drury Communications         +353 1 260 5000

Billy Murphy

Claire Fox

Gavin McLoughlin  

 

An analyst and investor  call will be  hosted by Michael Stanley,  CEO, and Richard  Ball, CFO, today  27
February 2025 at 8.30am (GMT).  To participate in the call,  register using the dial-in details  (quoting
the access code 731657) or use the registration link below:

 

Dial-in Details

Ireland                UK                      US
Toll: + 353 1 691 7842 Toll:  +44 20 3936 2999 Toll:  +1 646 664 1960
                                                
                       International            
                       Toll:  +44 20 3936 2999  

 

Registration Link: 

 

 9 https://www.netroadshow.com/events/login?show=35132a09&confId=76594

 

Notes to Editors

 

Cairn is an Irish homebuilder committed  to building high-quality, competitively priced, sustainable  new
homes and communities in great  locations. At Cairn, the  homeowner is at the  very centre of the  design
process. We strive  to provide unparalleled  customer service  throughout each stage  of the  home-buying
journey. A new Cairn home is expertly designed,  with a focus on creating shared spaces and  environments
where communities thrive. Cairn owns  a c.16,150 unit landbank  across 38 residential development  sites,
over 90% of  which are  located in  the Greater Dublin  Area (GDA)  with excellent  public transport  and
infrastructure links.

 

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

Some statements in this  announcement are, or  may be deemed  to be forward-looking  with respect to  the
financial condition,  results of  operations, business,  viability and  future performance  of Cairn  and
certain plans and objectives of the Company. They represent our expectations for our business and involve
risks and uncertainties. We have based these  forward-looking statements on our current expectations  and
projections about future events. We believe that  our expectations and assumptions with respect to  these
forward-looking statements  are  reasonable. However,  because  they  involve known  and  unknown  risks,
uncertainties and other factors,  which are in some  cases beyond our control,  and which include,  among
other factors policy, brand, economic, financial, development, compliance, people and climate risks,  our
actual  results  or  performance  may  differ  materially  from  those  expressed  or  implied  by   such
forward-looking statements. Past performance cannot be relied  upon as a guide to future performance  and
should not  be taken  as a  representation that  trends or  activities underlying  past performance  will
continue in the future. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this document.  Cairn
expressly disclaims any  obligation or  undertaking to publicly  update or  revise these  forward-looking
statements, other than as required by applicable law.

 

 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE STATEMENT

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

The Group  delivered another  excellent trading  year  in 2024  with 2,241  units5 (2023:  1,741  units).
Revenues were €859.9 million,  a 29% increase on  the €666.8 million delivered  in 2023. Of this,  €838.5
million came from residential closed sales (2023:  €649.9 million), while other sales including the  sale
of development sites contributed €21.4 million (2023: €16.9 million).

 

Gross profit for the year was €187.0 million (2023: €147.6 million), resulting in a gross margin of 21.7%
(2023: 22.1%). The  reduction in gross  margin was  primarily due to  the product mix  and a  significant
increase in the delivery of competitively priced affordable homes for State supported counterparties. The
Group continues to mitigate the effects of build cost inflation by focusing on our procurement  strategy,
driving further  efficiencies in  our construction  activities  from our  scale, innovation  and  digital
construction agenda.

 

Operating profit for the year was €150.0 million, a 32% increase from the €113.4 million operating profit
achieved in 2023, resulting in an operating margin of 17.4% (2023: 17.0%). Operating expenses were  €37.0
million (2023:  €34.2 million),  reflecting the  investment  we are  making in  our people,  systems  and
processes to support and underpin our continued growth.

 

Finance costs for the  year were €15.1  million (2023: €14.1  million). In delivering  a 29% increase  in
revenue, there was an increase in our working  capital investment throughout the year, leading to  higher
average drawings on our committed debt facilities.

 

Profit after tax was €114.6 million (2023: €85.4  million), equating to basic earnings per share of  17.9
cent (2023: 12.7 cent).

 

As at 31 December 2024, the Company had inventories totalling €862.1 million, down from €943.4 million as
at 31 December 2023. This included €615.7 million in land held for development (31 December 2023:  €609.2
million), and construction work-in-progress (WIP) of €246.4 million (31 December 2023: €334.3 million).

 

The increase in land held  for development followed the  release of land costs  from the 2,241 units5  in
2024, totalling €93.0  million, offset by  strategic land  acquisitions during the  year totalling  €99.5
million. The €87.9 million decrease in WIP was primarily due to the release of costs associated with  the
sale of 2,241 units5, totalling €572.2 million, offset  by an investment of €484.3 million in WIP  during
the year.

 

The Group generated  operating cash  flow of €134.7  million in  the year (2023:  €107.0 million),  after
spending €99.5 million (2023: €57.9 million) on strategic land acquisitions.

 

As at 31  December 2024,  the Group  had debt  facilities of  €385.0 million.  During the  year ended  31
December 2024, Home Building  Finance Ireland (HBFI)  joined the Group’s  existing syndicate of  lenders,
resulting in the sustainability linked facility increasing by €50.0 million from €277.5 million to €327.5
million. There was  no change  to the  existing terms of  the syndicate  facility. The  balance of  €57.5
million in our total  debt facilities relate  to a private  placement of loan  notes with Pricoa  Private
Capital, maturing in July 2025 (€15.0 million) and July 2026 (balance of €42.5 million). During the year,
a €15.0 million loan note matured and was repaid. In February 2025, the Company successfully completed  a
refinancing of its sustainability linked syndicate facility with Allied Irish Banks plc, Bank of  Ireland
and HBFI, increasing it by €75 million to €402.5 million and extending the duration to June 2029 with  an
option to extend a further year.

 

As at 31 December 2024,  the Company had available liquidity,  including cash and undrawn facilities,  of
€229.6 million,  compared to  €200.6 million  as at  31 December  2023. Net  debt of  €154.4 million  was
slightly above net debt of €148.3 million as at 31 December 2023.

 

The Board has  recommended a final  dividend of  4.4 cent per  ordinary share, which,  combined with  the
interim dividend of 3.8 cent  per ordinary share, results  in a total dividend  of 8.2 cent per  ordinary
share for the year (2023: 6.3 cent per share). The proposed final dividend of 4.4 cent per ordinary share
will be paid on 16 May 2025 to ordinary shareholders  on the Company's register at 5:00 p.m. on 25  April
2025, subject to shareholder approval at the Company's Annual General Meeting on 8 May 2025.

 

Additionally during 2024, the  Company spent €70.6  million in share  buyback programmes, acquiring  39.5
million shares at an average share price of €1.79. All repurchased shares have been cancelled. Between  2
January 2025 and  9 January 2025,  the Company  completed the remaining  part of the  2024 share  buyback
programme purchasing  0.8 million  shares at  a cost  of €1.8  million, all  of which  were  subsequently
cancelled.

 

In accordance with S1548 of the Companies Act 2014,  KPMG's tenure as the statutory auditor for a  public
interest entity will reach  its maximum duration at  the end of the  2024 reporting cycle.  Consequently,
KPMG will relinquish its role as the auditor of the Company following the completion of the audit for the
fiscal year ending on 31 December 2024.

 

The Company previously announced that  the Board has approved the  proposed appointment of Ernst &  Young
Chartered Accountants as the Company's auditor for  the financial year ending 31 December 2025  following
the conclusion  of a  competitive  tender process  led by  the  Company's Audit  & Risk  Committee.  This
appointment is subject to approval by the Company's shareholders at the Annual General Meeting to be held
on 8 May 2025.

 

VERY STRONG DEMAND ACROSS ALL BUYER PROFILES DRIVING INCREASED SALES

 

Market conditions remain very attractive with strong demand for our energy-efficient new homes across all
buyer profiles. In 2024, the Company delivered 2,241 units5 at an average selling price (ASP) of €383,000
(2023: 1,741 units at an  ASP of €389,000)6. The  decrease in ASP was driven  by product mix including  a
significant step-up in the  delivery of competitively  priced social and affordable  homes for our  State
partners.

 

Our closed and  forward order  book has  increased to  2,593 new homes  with a  net sales  value of  €989
million. This compares to a closed  and forward order book value of  €946 million and 2,473 new homes  at
this time last year.

 

State supports for our customers,  a favourable mortgage market and  the limited supply of  competitively
priced and well-located new starter homes is continuing to drive positive momentum. Enquiry lists  across
all of our active selling sites remain at historic highs. In 2024, we had a number of successful  starter
home launches nationwide including at  our landmark development in  Seven Mills (Clonburris, Dublin  22),
Graydon (Newcastle, Co. Dublin),  Sorrel Wood (Blessington,  Co. Wicklow) and  our first developments  in
Kilkenny (Nyne Park)  and Cork  (Bayly). The  demand from private  purchasers, across  all price  points,
remains exceptionally  strong  and  has continued  into  the  early  months of  2025.  The  Company  will
meaningfully increase sales to our core  FTB market over a multi-year period.  In H1 2025 we have 11  new
private launches planned,  including our  first Croí Cónaithe  approved apartment  development for  owner
occupiers.

 

Cairn continues to deliver homes at pace, scale and  value for money for our partners across a number  of
State supported counterparties,  including Affordable Housing  Bodies (AHBs), Local  Authorities and  the
Land Development Agency (LDA). In 2024, we  delivered homes under forward purchase transactions and  also
closed a  number  of  forward  fund  transactions8 with  State  supported  counterparties.  Forward  fund
transactions are  enabling Cairn  to materially  increase  our supply  of social  & affordable  homes  at
competitive prices to our State  supported counterparties and we are  progressing a number of  additional
forward fund transactions which we expect to complete in H2 2025. 

 

The demand from Government as a stakeholder in new homes is expected to remain strong in the coming years
as the  State continues  to  increase its  ownership  of permanent  Irish  housing stock,  which  remains
relatively low at approximately 10% compared  to some of our European  peers at over 20% (source:  OECD).
The Government is targeting the delivery of more than 300,000 new homes by the end of 2030, including  an
average of 15,000 starter homes and 12,000 social homes per year (source: 2025 Programme for Government).

 

ACCELERATING INVESTMENT IN OUR CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

 

Cairn continues to  invest in the  capacity and capability  of our business,  driving growth and  further
leveraging our  scaled operating  platform.  This sustained  investment  underpins the  Company’s  growth
trajectory. 

 

In 2024,  Cairn  significantly  invested  in  our construction  activities  with  over  4,100  new  homes
commencements (2023: 2,162), including  10 new large-scale developments.  This will see us  significantly
increase our construction  work-in-progress (WIP) spend  in 2025. Construction  began in sites  including
Shankill (Co Dublin),  Santry (Dublin  9), Donabate  (Co. Dublin),  Charlestown (Dublin  11), Navan  (Co.
Meath), Leixlip  (Co.  Kildare), Saggart  (Co.  Dublin), Athy  (Kildare)  and Rahoon  (Galway).  We  also
commenced new  phases of  housing and  scaled  apartment developments  across a  number of  our  existing
developments including Bayly (Co. Cork), Newcastle (Co. Dublin), Parkside (Dublin 13) and a number of new
phases at our Seven Mills development (Dublin 22).

 

Cairn invested significantly in WIP throughout 2024 with  our highest ever total spend of €484.3  million
(2023: €439.9 million). Our  closing WIP balance  of €246.4 million (2023:  €334.3 million) reflects  the
impact of the  forward fund  transactions where  WIP was  released when  we entered  the forward  funding
transactions.

 

LANDBANK EVOLUTION AND CONTINUED PLANNING PROGRESS UNDERPINS FUTURE DELIVERY PIPELINE

 

In 2024, we  evolved our  land acquisition strategy  to include  subject to planning  deals, options  and
potential joint  ventures. These  structures provide  strategic  optionality, allow  us to  leverage  our
operating platform,  and  are an  efficient  way to  acquire  land. Cairn  spent  €99.5 million  on  land
acquisitions (2023: €57.9 million) in  2024, including buying a  large strategic low density  development
site in Donabate (Co. Dublin) with full planning permission, adding to our established low cost landbank.
Our 38 site low-cost landbank now includes 14 high-density apartment sites (c. 4,450 units at an  average
historic site cost of c.€64k per  unit) and 24 low-density housing sites  (c. 11,700 units at an  average
historic site cost of c. €28k per unit).

 

Cairn continued to make progress in planning during 2024, underpinning our future delivery pipeline.  The
Large-scale Residential  Development (LRD)  planning process  is functioning  well with  Local  Authority
decisions that are challenged to An Bord Pleanála  (ABP) being upheld in 87% of cases. Public  confidence
in the LRD process continues to improve, with a significant reduction in judicial reviews being taken  by
third parties against positive decisions by ABP.

 

During 2024, the Irish Government  adopted new planning legislation  (Planning and Development Act  2024)
and completed  the National  Planning Framework  review. Transitional  arrangements will  be critical  to
ensure new housing delivery is not  adversely impacted in the period  between the expiry and adoption  of
new County and Local Area Plans,  which dictate land zoning at a  local level. The transition period  for
the implementation  of both  is  expected to  take  up to  24 months.  This  interim period,  before  new
legislation is fully implemented, is expected to create some uncertainty.

 

During 2024, we obtained seven new grants of planning permission comprising nearly 1,300 new homes (2023:
nine new grants comprising  over 2,350 new homes)  through a combination of  applications made under  the
traditional Section 34 planning route (a number of which were located within Strategic Development Zones)
and under the LRD planning  process. Approximately 70% of our  c.16,150 unit landbank has effective  full
planning permission, underpinning our future growth.

 

SUPPLY CHAIN STRATEGY AND INNOVATION IN OUR OPERATING PLATFORM

 

Our supply chain  strategy leverages  our scaled operating  platform including  our planning  capability,
established supply chain partnerships, delivery platform, procurement and people. Our strategy is centred
on securing, supplementing  and where  necessary, substituting  across our supply  chain. As  one of  the
industry’s largest procurers of  labour and materials,  the Company has  a current committed  procurement
order book of in excess of €900 million on active sites. Our top 20 subcontractors account for 69% of all
procurement since IPO (an average  of c.€70 million each), working  across an average of 22  developments
each. We are over 75% procured across all current live sites for 2025.

 

Our proactive approach to engaging with our supply chain partners through our group procurement  function
along with the  security of  multi-year, multi-project  contracts awarded has  enabled us  to manage  and
mitigate inflationary pressures.  We currently expect  total build cost  inflation (BCI) for  FY25 to  be
c.2%.

 

Cairn is  at the  forefront  in industry  innovation. Key  areas  of progress  and achievements  in  2024
include: 

 

  • established the  Cairn  Innovation Test  Centre  in our  Seven  Mills development.  This  centralises
    innovation tests and acts as a research and development (R&D) centre where employees,  subcontractors
    and suppliers  collaborate on  innovation projects.  Over 15  separate initiatives  are being  tested
    simultaneously, with industry visits arranged for Local Authorities, insurance bodies, customers  and
    internal teams;  

  • launched the Cairn Drone Deploy Platform which provides  detailed 3D mapping of all of our  projects.
    This platform has significantly improved  how we manage soil  movements, groundworks and record  site
    progress;  

  • developed new  housing typologies  including  a modern  townhouse as  an  alternative design  to  the
    standard Cairn duplex  typology. This  new design, which  is included  in some of  our 2024  planning
    applications, drives  operational  efficiencies  whilst  delivering  an  excellent  product  for  our
    customers; and 

  • launched the Cairn  Technical Design Library  to the wider  business through a  series of  functional
    presentations and training. This library is a  shared project design guide that refines the  approach
    to standardisation which continuously allows us to increase productivity and enhance standardisation.
    We have presented the library at multiple industry  events and to key stakeholders with the  platform
    being seen as the most advanced in the industry.  

 

SUSTAINABILITY AGENDA

 

Our sustainability  agenda is  integrated  into our  scaled  operating platform  and  is central  to  our
ambitious growth strategy. Our sustainability strategy is embedded into every aspect of our business  and
underpins our commitment to scope 1, 2 and 3 decarbonisation targets, biodiversity, sustainable  building
practices, health & safety and quality. Key areas of progress and achievements in 2024 include:

  • won the prestigious  Green Transformation  Award at  the Green Awards  2025 recognising  our role  as
    Ireland’s first  developer to  build  new homes  to the  Passive  House standard  at scale.  We  have
    commenced more than 1,750  apartments to Passive  House standard which  will increase to  2,750-3,000
    units by the end of 2025.  We also commenced construction of  our first low-density homes to  Passive
    House standard;
  • released our Climate Transition Plan and Passive  House Position Paper, continuing our commitment  to
    be a leader in sustainable construction; 
  • ranked in the  Top 100 global  companies in Time  Magazine’s ‘World’s Best  Companies in  Sustainable
    Growth 2025’, which identifies companies globally  that have demonstrated both outstanding  financial
    and environmental performance;
  • launched the Cairn Apprenticeship Programme  which is focused on  enhancing the long-term health  and
    viability of the construction sector in Ireland;
  • delivered our first EU Taxonomy aligned development;
  • 72% of our 2024 commencements were on Biodiversity Net Gain sites; and
  • submitted our  Net Zero  Science-based Target  to the  SBTi (Science  Based Targets  initiative)  for
    approval;

 

BOARD AND COMMITTEE CHANGES

 

During 2024,  the  Board went  through  a number  of  changes as  the  Company approached  its  nine-year
anniversary of its initial public offering (IPO).

 

  • On 25 January 2024, Alan McIntosh stepped down from his role as Non-Executive Director.
  • On 10 April 2024, Richard Ball succeeded Shane  Doherty as Chief Financial Officer and was  appointed
    as an Executive Director at the Annual General Meeting on 10 May 2024.
  • On 29  August  2024, the  Company  announced  the appointment  of  Bernard Byrne  as  an  independent
    Non-Executive Director and Chair-Designate,  effective 1 January 2025.  Bernard will succeed  current
    Chair, John Reynolds, who will retire at the end of April 2025, having served as Non-Executive  Chair
    since Cairn’s IPO in 2015.
  • On 21  November 2024,  the Company  announced  the appointment  of Orla  O’Connor as  an  independent
    Non-Executive Director, effective 1 January 2025. Following her appointment to the Board, Orla became
    a member of the Audit & Risk Committee and the Remuneration Committee.
  • On 31 December  2024, Gary  Britton stepped down  from the  Board, having served  as a  Non-Executive
    Director since IPO.

 

The following Board Committee changes also took place during 2024:

 

  • Giles Davies assumed the  role of Non-Executive Director  with responsibility for Sustainability  and
    Environmental Impact;
  • Linda Hickey was appointed as the Senior Independent Director (succeeding Giles Davies); 
  • Julie Sinnamon replaced Giles Davies as Chair of the Nomination Committee; and
  • Orla O’Gorman replaced Gary Britton as Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee with effect from 1 January
    2025.

 

With effect from 1 January 2025, the composition of the Board Committees were as follows:

 

  • Audit & Risk Committee: Orla O’Gorman (Chair), Linda Hickey, Orla O’Connor and Julie Sinnamon;
  • Nomination Committee: Julie Sinnamon (Chair), Giles Davies and Orla O’Gorman; and
  • Remuneration Committee: Linda Hickey (Chair), Giles Davies and Orla O’Connor.

 

CAIRN HOMES PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the year ended 31 December 2024

                                                                                       2024          2023
                                                                                             
                                                                                  Unaudited       Audited
                                                                                                       
                                                                                                         
                                                                                                       
                                                                             Note     €’000       €’000  
Continuing operations                                                                                    
Revenue                                                                       2     859,871     666,807  
Cost of sales                                                                     (672,910)   (519,189)  
Gross profit                                                                        186,961     147,618  
                                                                                                         
Administrative expenses                                                       4    (36,954)    (34,229)  
                                                                                                         
Operating profit                                                                    150,007     113,389  
                                                                                                         
Finance costs                                                                 3    (15,095)    (14,118)  
Share of profit of equity-accounted investee, net of tax                              (203)         152  
Finance income                                                                          163           -  
                                                                                                         
Profit before taxation                                                              134,872      99,423  
                                                                                                         
Tax charge                                                                    6    (20,300)    (13,991)  
Profit for the year attributable to owners of the Company                           114,572    85,432    
 

Other comprehensive loss                                                                                 

 
Fair value movement on cashflow hedges                                                  124       (331)  
Cashflow hedges reclassified to profit and loss                                       (455)        (80)  
                                                                                                         
                                                                                      (331)       (411)  
                                                                                                         
Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to owners                                         
of the Company                                                                                           
                                                                                    114,241      85,021
                                                                                                       
                                                                                                         
Basic earnings per share                                                      17  17.9 cent   12.7 cent
Diluted earnings per share                                                    17  17.8 cent   12.6 cent  
                                                                                                         

 

CAIRN HOMES PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

As at 31 December 2024

 

                                              2024        2023
                                         Unaudited     Audited
Assets
                                    Note     €’000       €’000
 
Non-current assets                                            
Property, plant and equipment        12      7,170       6,120
Right of use assets                  13      5,592       5,557
Intangible assets                    14      4,423       4,211
Derivatives                          15          -         436
Equity-accounted investee                       34         237
Trade and other receivables          8      10,788           -
                                            28,007      16,561
                                                              
Current assets                                                
Inventories                          7     862,124     943,417
Trade and other receivables          8     141,532      54,057
Current taxation                                 -         312
Cash and cash equivalents            9      27,623      25,553
Derivatives                          15        105           -
                                         1,031,384   1,023,339
                                                              
Total assets                             1,059,391   1,039,900
                                                              
                                                              
Equity                                                        
Share capital                        10        621         655
Share premium                        10    201,894     201,100
Other undenominated capital                    222         183
Treasury shares                      10    (8,202)     (3,196)
Share-based payment reserve                 14,721      13,588
Cashflow hedge reserve               15        105         436
Retained earnings                          548,847     544,396
Total equity                               758,208     757,162
                                                              
                      
Liabilities                                                   
                      
Non-current liabilities                                       
Loans and borrowings                 11    167,054     158,836
Lease liabilities                    13      5,191       5,490
Deferred taxation                    6       3,090       3,139
                                           175,335     167,465
Current liabilities                                           
Loans and borrowings                 11     14,992      14,992
Lease liabilities                    13      1,254         937
Trade and other payables             16    107,453      99,344
Current taxation                             2,149           -
                                           125,848     115,273
                                                              
Total liabilities                          301,183     282,738
Total equity and liabilities             1,059,391   1,039,900
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              

 

CAIRN HOMES PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the year ended 31 December 2024

 

                                                                       Unaudited
                                                         Attributable to owners of the Company
                                         
                                                                            
                                                                                                         
                         Share                  Other          Share-Based Cashflow
                                 Share Undenomin-ated Treasury     Payment    Hedge  Retained     Total  
                       Capital Premium        Capital   Shares              Reserve  Earnings
                                                                   Reserve
                         €'000   €'000          €’000    €’000       €'000    €'000     €'000     €'000  
                                                                                                         
As at 1 January            655 201,100            183  (3,196)      13,588      436   544,396   757,162  
2024
                                                                                                         
Total
comprehensive                                                                                            
income for the
year
Profit for the               -       -              -        -           -        -   114,572   114,572  
year
Fair value
movement on                  -       -              -        -           -      124         -       124  
cashflow hedges
Cashflow hedges
reclassified to              -       -              -        -           -    (455)         -     (455)  
profit and loss
                             -       -              -        -           -    (331)   114,572   114,241  
Transactions
with owners of                                                                                           
the Company
Purchase of own
shares – share               -       -              - (70,591)           -        -         -  (70,591)  
buybacks (note
10)
Cancellation of
repurchased               (39)       -             39   70,591           -        -  (70,591)         -  
shares
Purchase of own
shares – held in             -       -              -  (5,006)           -        -         -   (5,006)  
trust (note 10)
Equity-settled
share-based                  -       -              -        -       6,942        -         -     6,942  
payments (note
10)
Settlement of
dividend                                                             (619)        -         -     (619)  
equivalents
(note 10) 
Shares issued on
vesting/exercise
of share awards              5     794              -        -           -        -         -       799  
and options
(note 10)
Transfer from
share-based
payment reserve
to retained
earnings in
relation to                  -       -              -        -     (5,190)        -     5,190         -  
vesting/exercise
or lapsing of
share awards and
options (note
10)
Dividends paid
to shareholders              -       -              -        -           -        -  (44,720)  (44,720)  
(note 18)
                          (34)     794             39  (5,006)       1,133        - (110,121) (113,195)  
                                                                                                         
As at 31                   621 201,894            222  (8,202)      14,721      105   548,847   758,208  
December 2024
                                                                                                         

 

CAIRN HOMES PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the year ended 31 December 2023

                                                                         Audited
                                                          Attributable to owners of the Company
                                           
                                                                             
                                                                                                         
                           Share                  Other          Share-Based Cashflow
                                   Share Undenomin-ated Treasury     Payment    Hedge Retained    Total  
                         Capital Premium        Capital   Shares              Reserve Earnings
                                                                     Reserve
                           €'000   €'000          €’000    €’000       €'000    €'000    €'000    €'000  
                                                                                                         
As at 1 January              725 199,616            105        -      11,809      847  538,720  751,822  
2023
                                                                                                         
Total
comprehensive                                                                                            
income for the
year
Profit for the                 -       -              -        -           -        -   85,432   85,432  
year
Fair value
movement on                    -       -              -        -           -    (331)        -    (331)  
cashflow hedges
Cashflow hedges
reclassified to                -       -              -        -           -     (80)        -     (80)  
profit and loss
                               -       -              -        -           -    (411)   85,432   85,021  
Transactions with
owners of the                                                                                            
Company
Purchase of own
shares – share                 -       -              - (42,697)           -        -        - (42,697)  
buybacks (note 10)
Cancellation of             (39)       -             39   42,697           -        - (42,697)        -  
repurchased shares
Cancellation of
founder and                 (39)       -             39        -           -        -        -        -  
deferred shares
Purchase of own
shares – held in               -       -              -  (3,196)           -        -        -  (3,196)  
trust (note 10)
Equity-settled
share-based                    -       -              -        -       7,075        -        -    7,075  
payments (note 10)
Settlement of
dividend                                                               (459)        -        -    (459)  
equivalents (note
10) 
Shares issued on
vesting/exercise
of share awards                8   1,484              -        -           -        -        -    1,492  
and options (note
10)
Transfer from
share-based
payment reserve to
retained earnings
in relation to                 -       -              -        -     (4,837)        -    4,837        -  
vesting/exercise
or lapsing of
share awards and
options (note 10)
Dividends paid to
shareholders (note             -       -              -        -           -        - (41,896) (41,896)  
18)
                            (70)   1,484             78  (3,196)       1,779        - (79,756) (79,681)  
                                                                                                         
As at 31 December            655 201,100            183  (3,196)      13,588      436  544,396  757,162  
2023
                                                                                                         

 

CAIRN HOMES PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the year ended 31 December 2024

 

                                                                   2024          2023
                                                                           
                                                              Unaudited       Audited
                                                                  €'000         €'000
Cash flows from operating activities                                                 
                                                                                     
Profit for the year                                             114,572        85,432
                                                                                     
Adjustments for:                                                                     
Share-based payments expense                                      6,077         5,752
Finance costs                                                    15,095        14,118
Finance income                                                    (163)             -
Depreciation and amortisation                                     2,728         2,169
Taxation                                                         20,300        13,991
                                                                                     
                                                                158,609       121,462
                                                                                     
Decrease in inventories                                          83,492        26,456
Increase in trade and other receivables                        (98,263)      (33,610)
Increase in trade and other payables                              8,700         7,099
Tax paid                                                       (17,878)      (14,386)
                                                                                     
Net cash from operating activities                              134,660       107,021
                                                                                     
Cash flows from investing activities                                                 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment                      (2,655)       (1,689)
Purchases of intangible assets                                  (1,744)       (2,401)
                                                                                     
Net cash used in investing activities                           (4,399)       (4,090)
                                                                                     
Cash flows from financing activities                                                 
Purchase of own shares – share buybacks                        (70,591)      (42,697)
Proceeds from issue of share capital                                799         1,492
Settlement of dividend equivalents                                (619)         (459)
Purchase of own shares – held in trust                          (5,006)       (3,196)
Dividends paid                                                 (44,720)      (41,896)
Proceeds from loans and borrowings, net of debt issue costs     392,850       317,500
Repayment of loans and borrowings                             (385,000)     (315,000)
Repayment of lease liabilities                                  (1,004)         (761)
Interest and other finance costs paid                          (14,900)      (14,072)
                                                                                     
Net cash used in financing activities                         (128,191)      (99,089)
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents in the year                      
                                                                  2,070         3,842
                                                                                     
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                   25,553        21,711
                                                                                     
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                         27,623        25,553
                                                                                  
                                                                                  

 

 

 

CAIRN HOMES PLC

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 1. Basis of preparation

 

Cairn Homes plc (“the Company”) is a company domiciled in Ireland. The Company’s registered office is  45
Mespil Road,  Dublin 4.  The Company  and its  subsidiaries (together  referred to  as “the  Group”)  are
predominantly involved in the development of residential property for sale.

 

The unaudited consolidated financial information covers the year ended 31 December 2024.

 

The Group’s unaudited consolidated  financial information does not  include all the information  required
for a complete set of financial statements prepared in accordance with International Financial  Reporting
Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted by the European Union. However, selected explanatory notes are included  to
explain events and  transactions that  are material to  an understanding  of the changes  in the  Group’s
financial position and performance since  31 December 2023. They should  be read in conjunction with  the
statutory consolidated financial statements  of the Group,  which were prepared  in accordance with  IFRS
(“EU IFRS”) as adopted  by the European Union,  as at and for  the year ended 31  December 2023, and  the
interim results for the six-month period ended 30  June 2024, issued on 07 September 2024. The  statutory
financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 have been filed with the Companies  Registration
Office and  are available  at  10 www.cairnhomes.com.  The  audit opinion  on those  statutory  financial
statements was  unqualified and  did not  contain any  matters to  which attention  was drawn  by way  of
emphasis. The statutory consolidated  financial statements of  the Group for the  year ended 31  December
2024 will be published in April 2025 and will be available on  11 www.cairnhomes.com.

 

The new IFRS standards, amendments to standards or interpretations that are effective for the first  time
in the financial year  ending 31 December  2024 have not had  a material impact  on the Group’s  reported
profit or net assets in this consolidated financial information.

 

During the  year, the  Group entered  into a  number of  forward fund  transactions with  State-supported
counterparties. The forward fund transactions involve the Group delivering new homes under a  contractual
relationship where land is sold up-front to the State-supported counterparties and the cost of delivering
the new  homes is  paid  by the  State-supported  counterparties to  the Group  on  a phased  basis.  The
accounting treatment for revenue is assessed based on the specific terms of the contractual  arrangements
for each transaction. This  resulted in the adoption  of a new revenue  recognition method in  accordance
with IFRS 15  Revenue from  Contracts with  Customers. Judgment was  applied in  considering whether  the
delivery of land and residential units under these arrangements formed a single performance obligation or
separate performance obligations. Based on the facts  and circumstances it was determined that for  these
transactions the delivery  of land and  residential units formed  a single performance  obligation to  be
delivered over time. Revenue relating to these transactions is recognised over time on a cost  completion
basis. This is measured by the proportion of total  costs incurred at the reporting date relative to  the
estimated total costs of the contract using  an independent third-party valuation of the work  performed.
These contracts  may give  rise  to contract  assets and/or  contract  liabilities. Contract  assets  are
calculated as the amount by which the cumulative  value of revenue earned on certain long-term  contracts
exceeds the amounts invoiced to the customer or  consists of revenue earned on forward fund  transactions
with State-supported  counterparties where  the timing  of  receipt of  consideration is  conditioned  on
something other than the passage of time. Conversely, contract liabilities represent the amount by  which
the cumulative amounts  invoiced for stage  payments on  certain long-term contracts  exceed the  revenue
recognised.

 

The Group’s other accounting policies, presentation and method of computations adopted in the preparation
of this consolidated financial information are consistent  with those followed in the preparation of  the
Group’s financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.

 

The preparation of consolidated financial information  requires management to make judgements,  estimates
and assumptions that  affect the application  of policies  and reported amounts  of assets,  liabilities,
income and  expenses.  Actual  results  could  differ materially  from  these  estimates.  Estimates  and
underlying assumptions  are  reviewed  on  an  ongoing  basis.  Revisions  to  estimates  are  recognised
prospectively.

 

The significant accounting  judgements impacting  this consolidated  financial information,  in order  of
significance are:

 

• scale and mix of each development and the achievement of associated planning permissions.

This may involve  assumptions on new  or amended  planning permission applications.  This judgement  then
feeds into the process of  forecasting expected profitability by development  which is used to  determine
the profit that the Group is able to recognise  on its developments in each reporting period and the  net
realisable value of inventories.

 

•  revenue recognition in relation to forward fund transactions.

When contractual arrangements  exist whereby land  is sold up-front  and the cost  of delivering the  new
homes is paid for by the purchaser on a phased basis, there is a judgement as to whether the sale of land
and the  delivery of  residential  units are  a single  performance  obligation or  separate  performance
obligations for  the purposes  of  revenue recognition.  Based  on the  facts  and circumstances  it  was
determined that  for  these  transactions  the  delivery  of  land  and  residential  units  were  highly
interrelated and formed a single performance obligation to be delivered over time.

 

The key sources of estimation uncertainty impacting this consolidated financial information are:

• forecast selling prices;

• build cost inflation; and

• carrying value of inventories and allocations from inventories to cost of sales (note 7).

 

Due to the nature of the Group’s activities and in particular the scale of its development costs and  the
length of the  development cycle, the  Group has to  allocate site-wide development  costs between  units
completed in the current year and those in future years. It also has to forecast the costs to complete on
such developments and make estimates relating to  future sales prices. Forecast selling prices and  build
cost inflation are  inherently uncertain  due to  changes in  market conditions.  These estimates  impact
management’s assessment of the net realisable value of the Group’s inventories and

also determine the extent of profit or loss that  should be recognised in respect of each development  in
each reporting period.  Note 7 includes  disclosures on judgements  and estimates in  relation to  profit
margins and carrying values of inventories. In making such assessments and allocations, there is a degree
of inherent estimation uncertainty.

 

The Group has developed internal controls designed  to effectively assess and review carrying values  and
profit recognition, and the appropriateness of estimates  made. The Group recognises its gross profit  on
each sale, based on the particular unit sold and the total cost attaching to that unit. As the build cost
on a site can  take place over a  number of reporting periods  the determination of the  cost of sale  to
release on each  individual unit sale  is dependent on  up-to-date cost forecasting  and expected  profit
margins across the scheme.

 

In preparing the financial statements, the Directors have considered the impact of climate change.  There
has been no material impact identified on the financial reporting judgements and estimates as a result of
climate change. In particular, the  Directors considered the impact of  climate change in respect of  the
following areas: going concern and viability of the Group over the next three years; cash flow  forecasts
used in  the impairment  assessments of  inventories; and  carrying value  and useful  economic lives  of
property, plant and equipment.  Whilst there  is currently no  medium-term impact  expected from  climate
change, the Directors are aware of the ever-changing risks attached to climate change and will  regularly
assess these  risks  against judgements  and  estimates made  in  preparation of  the  Group’s  financial
statements.

 

The consolidated financial  information is presented  in Euro, which  is the functional  currency of  the
Company and presentation currency of the Group, rounded to the nearest thousand. 

 

 Going concern

 

The Group delivered our  strongest ever performance  in 2024 with  a year-on-year growth  of 29% in  both
revenue and units and a 34% increase in profit  after tax. With 2,241 units1 and total revenue of  €859.9
million in the year, the Group generated €134.7 million in operational cash flow, a significant  increase
from the €107.0 million generated in  2023 and started 2025 with  a multi-year forward sales pipeline  of
2,361 new homes with a net sales value of c. €910 million.

 

The Group has  a growth  strategy that  focuses on minimising  financial risk  and maintaining  financial
flexibility to ensure  we have  a strong,  sustainable and long-term  business. The  business has  strong
liquidity, a significant investment in construction work-in-progress underpinned by a significant forward
order book, a robust balance sheet and committed, lowly leveraged debt facilities.

 

1 This  comprises both  closed  sales and  equivalent  units. Equivalent  units  relate to  forward  fund
transactions which are calculated on a percentage completion basis based on the constructed value of work
completed divided by total estimated cost

  

To mitigate liquidity risk, the Group applies a prudent cash management policy ensuring our  construction
activities in the near and medium-term are  focused on forward sold inventories, including lower  average
selling price starter homes for our core first  time buyer market and scaled apartment developments  with
multi-year delivery timelines.

 

The Group had a total committed debt facility of  €385.0 million at the start of 2025. This increased  to
€460.0 million  in  February  2025,  of  which  €402.5 million  is  a  syndicate  facility  comprising  a
Sustainability Linked  term loan  and revolving  credit facility  with Allied  Irish Banks  plc, Bank  of
Ireland, and Home Building Finance Ireland (HBFI), maturing in June 2029 with a one-year extension option
at our  discretion.  HBFI joined  our  syndicate during  2024.  Four sustainability  performance  targets
underpin these green facilities which are linked directly to key elements of our sustainability strategy.

 

Net debt was €154.4 million as  at 31 December 2024 (31 December  2023: €148.3 million). The Company  had
available liquidity (cash  and undrawn facilities)  at 31 December  2024 of €229.6  million (31  December
2023: €200.6 million), including €27.6 million of cash (31 December 2023: €25.5 million).

 

The Group  invested €484.3  million in  our  construction activities  during 2024,  including  commencing
construction on ten large-scale, multi-year, new developments. The Group continues to focus our new  site
commencements on  our core  starter homes  market and  large apartment  developments for  State-supported
counterparties. During the period,  the Group entered  into a number of  forward fund transactions  which
benefit the business from a liquidity perspective and support our continued and ambitious growth plans.

 

The Group is also encouraged by the sustained level  of underlying demand for new homes in the market  as
evidenced by the size of its forward sales pipeline, with strong demand continuing into the early  months
of 2025. Enquiry  lists across  all of  our active  selling sites  remain high  with particularly  strong
interest in our starter  home developments. The  Group’s closed and forward  sales pipeline increased  to
2,593 new homes with a net sales value of €989  million as at 26 February 2025. Of these, over 1,600  new
homes are expected to close in 2025.

 

The Directors have carried  out a detailed assessment  of the principal risks  facing the Group and  have
considered the impact of  these risks on the  going concern of the  business. In making this  assessment,
consideration has been given to the uncertainty inherent in financial forecasting including future market
conditions such as sales prices. Where appropriate, severe but plausible downside-sensitivities have been
applied to the key factors affecting the future financial performance of the Group.

 

Having considered the Group’s forecasts and outlook including the strength of its forward order book, the
Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in  operational
existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they are satisfied that it is appropriate to  continue
to adopt the going concern basis in preparing this consolidated financial information.

 

 

 

 

2.  Revenue

                                                        2024      2023
                                                       €’000     €’000
Residential property sales                                      
Recognised at a point in time                        382,802   649,879
Recognised over time                                 455,706         -
Total residential property sales                     838,508   649,879
Site and other sales - recognised at a point in time  21,310    16,902
Revenue from contracts with customers                859,818   666,781
Other revenue                                                         
Income from property rental                               53        26
                                                     859,871   666,807

 

Revenue is recognised  either at a  point in  time or over  time, according to  the specific  contractual
arrangements. Revenue recognised at a point in time is recognised when control over the property has been
transferred to the customer, which occurs at legal completion.

 

Revenue recognised over time arises on forward fund contracts where land is sold up-front and the cost of
delivering the new homes is paid for by the  purchaser on a phased basis. This revenue is measured  based
on total costs incurred at the reporting date relative to the estimated total cost of the contract, using
an independent third-party valuation of the work performed.

 

                              2024      2023
Residential property sales   €’000     €’000
Houses and duplexes        287,066   382,903
Apartments                 551,442   266,976
                           838,508   649,879

 

 

 

3.  Finance costs

                                                                         2024         2023  
                                                                        €’000        €’000  
  Interest expense on financial liabilities measured at amortised cost 14,474          13,331
  Cashflow hedges-reclassified from other comprehensive income          (455)            (80)
  Other finance costs                                                     843             661
  Interest on lease liabilities (note 13)                                 233             206
                                                                         15,095     14,118  
                                                                                            
                                                                                            

Interest expense includes  interest and  amortised arrangement  fees and issue  costs on  the drawn  term
loans, revolving credit  facility and  loan notes.  Other finance costs  include commitment  fees on  the
undrawn element of the revolving credit facility during the year.

 

4.  Administrative expenses

                                     2024     2023
                                    €’000    €’000
Employee benefits expense (note 5) 23,223   22,518
Other expenses                     13,731   11,711
                                   36,954   34,229
                                             
                                             
                                             

 

5.  Employee benefits expense

                                                                      2024       2023
                                                                     €’000      €’000
Wages and salaries                                                  41,255     36,634
Social welfare costs                                                 4,455      4,049
Pension costs – defined contribution schemes                         1,528      1,350
Share-based payments charge                                          6,942      7,075
                                                                    54,180     49,108
Amounts included in cost of sales or capitalised into inventories (30,826)   (25,987)
Amounts capitalised into intangibles                                 (131)      (603)
Employee benefits expense                                           23,223     22,518

 

6.  Taxation

 

                                                               2024         2023  
                                                              €’000        €’000  
                           Current tax charge for the year   20,349       13,991  
                           Deferred tax credit for the year    (49)            -  
                           Total tax charge                  20,300       13,991  
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
Profit before tax                                           134,872     99,423    
Tax charge at standard Irish income tax rate of 12.5%        16,859     12,428    
                                                                                  
Effects of:                                                                       
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes                      1,203      1,523    
Income taxed at the higher rate                               1,285          -    
Adjustment in respect of prior year                           (220)         40    
Other                                                         1,173          -    
Total tax charge                                             20,300     13,991    
 

                                                                                  

Deferred tax liabilities
                                                               2024           2023
                                                              €’000          €’000
Opening balance                                               3,139          3,139
Credited to profit or loss                                     (49)              -
Closing balance                                               3,090          3,139
                                                                                  

 

7.  Inventories

 

                                 2024      2023
                                €’000     €’000
                                         
Land held for development     615,743   609,160
Construction work in progress 246,381   334,257
                              862,124   943,417

 

Land held for development includes strategic land acquisitions during the year ended 31 December 2024  of
€99.5 million (2023: €57.9 million).

 

The Directors consider that all inventories are essentially current in nature although the Group’s normal
operational cycle is such that  a considerable proportion of inventories  will not be realised within  12
months. It is not possible to determine with accuracy when specific inventories will be realised as  this
will be subject to a number  of factors such as consumer demand,  the timing of planning permissions  and
site commencement dates.

 

The cost of inventories includes direct labour costs and  other direct wages and salaries as well as  the
cost of land,  raw materials,  and other direct  costs. During  the year ended  31 December  2024 and  31
December 2023 no direct wages and salaries for employees in construction related roles were estimated  to
be non-productive and therefore all such costs were included in the cost of inventories or cost of sales.

 

As the  build  costs  on  each development  can  take  place  over a  number  of  reporting  periods  the
determination of the cost of sales  to release on each sale is  dependent on up to date cost  forecasting
and expected profit margins across the various developments. The Directors review forecasting and  profit
margins on a  regular basis and  have incorporated  any additional costs  as a result  of inflation.  The
Directors have also  considered the impact  of climate change  in relation to  costs and expected  profit
margins. There has been no material impact identified on the financial reporting judgements and estimates
as a result  of climate  change. Nearer-term costs  are largely  fixed as they  are in  most cases  fully
procured, and others are  variable and particular focus has been given to these items to ensure they  are
accurately reflected in forecasts and profit margins. There is a risk that one or all of the  assumptions
may require revision as more information becomes available, with a resulting impact on the carrying value
of inventories  or the  amount of  profit recognised.  The risk  is managed  through ongoing  development
profitability reforecasting with any necessary adjustments being accounted for in the relevant  reporting
period.

 

All active developments on  which construction has  commenced are profitable and  due to the  forecasting
process by which cost of sales is determined as referred to above, the Directors therefore concluded that
the net realisable value  of active developments was  greater than their carrying  amount at 31  December
2024 and hence those sites were not impaired.

 

All developments on  which construction has  not yet commenced  were also assessed  for impairment at  31
December 2024. This assessment was based on the current development plan for the development,  reflecting
the number and mix of units  expected to be built. For each  of these developments, the forecast  revenue
based on current market prices was greater than the  sum of the site cost and the estimated  construction
costs. The Directors therefore concluded that the net realisable value of sites on which construction has
not yet commenced was greater than their carrying amount at 31 December 2024 and hence those developments
were not impaired.

 

There were no reasonably foreseeable changes in assumptions that would have resulted in an impairment  of
inventories at  31 December  2024. As  a result  of the  detailed reviews  undertaken the  Directors  are
satisfied with the  carrying values of  inventories (development land  and work in  progress), which  are
stated at the lower of cost and net realisable  value, and with the methodology for the release of  costs
on the sale of inventories.

 

The total amount charged  to cost of  sales from inventories  during the year  was €665.5 million  (2023:
€514.8 million).

 

8.  Trade and other receivables

                                   
                            
                      2024     2023
Current assets       €’000    €’000
                              
Trade receivables   73,495   32,706
Contract assets     45,331        -
Prepayments          1,311    1,152
Construction bonds  11,938   16,533
Other receivables    9,457    3,666
                   141,532   54,057

 

                                 
                           
                     2024    2023
Non-current assets  €’000   €’000
                             
Contract assets    10,001       -
Other receivables     787       -
                   10,788       -

 

Trade receivables  relate to  amounts due  in relation  to residential  property sales  to  institutional
investors and State-supported  counterparties. Included  within trade  receivables are  amounts of  €65.4
million which relate  to funds  due from State-supported  counterparties. Within  the trade  receivables,
€18.5 million relates to retentions. All Trade  Receivables excluding retentions have been received  post
year end.

 

Contract assets of  €55.3 million (31  December 2023: €nil)  consists of revenue  earned on forward  fund
transactions with State-supported  counterparties that is  either unbilled  or the timing  of receipt  of
consideration is conditioned on something other than the passage of time. 

 

The Directors consider that  all construction bonds are  current assets as they  will be realised in  the
Group’s normal  operating cycle,  which is  such that  a proportion  of construction  bonds will  not  be
recovered within 12 months. It  is estimated that €6.4 million  (2023: €9.3 million) of the  construction
bond balance at 31 December 2024 will be recovered after more than 12 months from that date.

 

The carrying value of all trade and other receivables is approximate to their fair value.

 

9. Cash and cash equivalents

 

                                         
                                  
                            2024     2023
                           €’000    €’000
                                         
Cash and cash equivalents 27,623   25,553
                                         

Cash deposits are made for varying short-term periods depending on the immediate cash requirements of the
Group. All deposits  can be withdrawn  without any  changes in value  and accordingly the  fair value  of
current cash and cash equivalents is identical to the carrying value.

 

 

10.  Share capital and share-based payments

                                               2024                  2023
                                       Number €’000          Number €’000
Authorised                                                           
Ordinary shares of €0.001 each  1,000,000,000 1,000   1,000,000,000 1,000
Founder shares of €0.001 each               -     -     100,000,000   100
Deferred shares of €0.001 each              -     -     120,000,000   120
                                                 20                    20
A Ordinary shares of €1.00 each        20,000                20,000
                                                                         
Total authorised share capital                1,020                 1,240
                                                                         

 

During the year ended 31  December 2024, all authorised founder  and deferred shares were cancelled.  All
founder and deferred  issued shares were  cancelled during the  year ended 31  December 2023. A  ordinary
shares (nil issued)  do not  have entitlements  to receive dividends  and do  not have  voting rights  at
meetings of the Company.

 

 

                                           Share Capital Share Premium   Total
As at 31 December 2024              Number         €’000         €’000   €’000
                                                                              
Issued and fully paid                                                         
Ordinary shares of €0.001 each 621,051,046           621       201,894 202,515
                                                     621       201,894 202,515

 

 

                                           Share Capital Share Premium   Total
As at 31 December 2023              Number         €’000         €’000   €’000
                                                                              
Issued and fully paid                                                         
Ordinary shares of €0.001 each 654,888,041           655       201,100 201,755
                                                     655       201,100 201,755

 

Share buyback programme

 

On 3 March 2023 the Company commenced a €40 million share buyback programme, and on 6 September 2023  the
Company increased the size of the  share buyback programme by a further  €35 million, for a total of  €75
million (the FY23 programme).

 

The total cost  of ordinary shares  repurchased under the  FY23 programme during  2024 was €27.4  million
which was  recorded directly  in  equity in  retained  earnings. In  accordance  with the  share  buyback
programme, all repurchased shares  are subsequently cancelled. 17,743,924  shares were repurchased  under
the FY23 programme  (at an average  share price of  €1.54) and were  cancelled during the  year ended  31
December 2024.

 

On 3 July 2024,  the Company announced a  new €45 million share  buyback programme, which represents  €40
million in respect  of a  new programme and  the remaining  €5 million of  the FY23  programme (the  FY24
programme). As at 31  December 2024 the  total cost of  shares repurchased under  the FY24 programme  was
€43.2 million which was recorded  directly in equity in retained  earnings. In accordance with the  share
buyback programme, all repurchased shares are subsequently cancelled. 21,770,362 shares were  repurchased
under the FY24 programme (at  an average share price  of €1.98) and were cancelled  in the year ended  31
December 2024. Between 2  January 2025 and 9  January 2025, the Company  repurchased 803,939 shares at  a
cost of €1.8 million which completed the FY24 programme.

 

In the prior year the total cost of shares  repurchased under the FY23 programme was €42.7 million  which
was recorded directly in equity in retained earnings. In accordance with the share buyback programme, all
repurchased shares are subsequently cancelled. 38,739,281  repurchased shares were cancelled in the  year
ended 31 December 2023.

 

Share issues

 

On 5 April 2024,  4,817,522 ordinary shares at  a nominal value  of €0.001 per share  in relation to  the
vesting of the 2021 LTIP were issued. In the prior year, the Company issued 5,331,233 ordinary shares  at
a nominal value of €0.001 per share in respect of the vesting of awards under the 2020 LTIP.

 

During the year ended 31 December 2024, the Company issued 359,769 ordinary shares at a nominal value  of
€0.001 in relation to the vesting of the 2021  save as you earn option scheme (SAYE), and €0.153  million
was transferred from the share-based payments reserve to retained earnings relating to the 2021  vesting.
In the prior year, the Company issued 2,518,637 ordinary shares at a nominal value of €0.001 in  relation
to the vesting of the 2020  SAYE option scheme, and €0.726  million was transferred from the  share-based
payments reserve to retained earnings relating to the 2020 vesting.

 

During the year ended 31 December 2024, 500,000 ordinary share options were exercised and €0.110  million
was transferred from share-based payment reserve to retained earnings (2023: €nil).

 

Long term incentive plan (LTIP)

 

The Group operates an  equity settled LTIP, which  was approved at the  May 2017 Annual General  Meeting,
under which  conditional awards  of 16,166,510  shares  made to  employees remain  outstanding as  at  31
December 2024  (2023: 15,775,886).  The  shares will  vest on  satisfaction  of service  and  performance
conditions attaching to the  LTIP over a three-year  period. During the year  ended 31 December 2024  the
Company issued 4,817,522 (2023: 5,331,233) ordinary shares at par in relation to the vesting of the  2021
(2023:2020) LTIP. €4.927  million (2023:  €4.11 million) was  transferred from  the share-based  payments
reserve to retained earnings in relation to the 2021 (2023:2020) vesting.

 

The outstanding 2022, 2023 and 2024 LTIP awards are subject to both financial and non-financial  metrics.
60% of the 2022 and 2023 awards will vest  subject to the achievement of cumulative EPS targets over  the
three-year performance period from 2022 to 2024 and 2023 to 2025 respectively. 55% of the 2024 award will
vest subject to the  achievement of cumulative  EPS targets over the  three-year performance period  from
2024 to 2026. 20% of the 2022 and 2023 awards will vest subject to the achievement of a return on  equity
(ROE) target and 20% subject to the achievement of a biodiversity target. 25% of the 2024 award will vest
subject to the achievement of an ROE target, 10% subject to the achievement of a biodiversity target  and
10% dependent on passive standard unit commencements.  Awards to Executive Directors are also subject  to
an additional two-year holding period after vesting.

 

The Group recognised  a charge  related to the  LTIP during  the year ended  31 December  2024 of  €3.845
million  (2023:  €4,390  million)  of  which  €3.157  million  (2023:  €3.332  million)  was  charged  to
administrative expenses in  profit or  loss and a  charge of  €0.688 million (2023:  €1.058 million)  was
included in construction  work in  progress within inventories.  Conditional awards  of 5,423,265  shares
(2023: 6,187,597 shares) were made to employees under the LTIP in the year ended 31 December 2024.

 

Dividend equivalents 

 

The Group operates  a dividend equivalent  scheme linked to  its equity settled  LTIP. Under this  scheme
employees are entitled to shares or cash (the choice of settlement is as determined by the Group) to  the
value of dividends  declared over the  LTIP’s vesting  period based on  the number of  shares that  vest.
During the period ended 31 December 2024 the Group settled dividend equivalents in cash of €0.619 million
(2023: €0.457 million)  and this  amount was  deducted from the  share-based payment  reserve. The  Group
recognised a charge  related to dividend  equivalents during the  year ended 31  December 2024 of  €1.084
million  (2023:  €0.669  million)  of  which  €0.946  million  (2023:  €0.473  million)  was  charged  to
administrative expenses in  profit or  loss and a  charge of  €0.138 million (2023:  €0.196 million)  was
included in construction work in progress within inventories.

 

Stretch CEO LTIP

 

On 31 August 2023 shareholders approved the adoption and implementation of an additional LTIP to  deliver
certain bespoke awards of shares to  the Company’s CEO, Mr. Michael  Stanley (the Stretch CEO LTIP).  The
award is structured  in two  tranches, with an  equal number  of ordinary shares  in the  capital of  the
Company granted to the CEO in each of 2023

and 2024. The 2023  Award will be  subject to a  three-year performance period  (2023-2025) and the  2024
Award will be subject to a four-year performance period (2023-2026), both from the baseline year of  2022
and subject to  the achievement  of certain performance  conditions linked  to profit after  tax and  ROE
weighted 75% and 25% respectively.

 

The 2023 award was  granted in 2023, at  a value of  €3.5 million, with the  number of conditional  share
awards determined by  the closing share  price on  the evening preceding  the grant date.  The number  of
conditional share awards granted under the  2024 award was identical to  the first award. The 2023  grant
took place on 8  September 2023 with  a grant price of  €1.108 per share  equating to 3,158,845  ordinary
shares. The 2024 grant of 3,158,844 ordinary shares took place on 10 April 2024.

 

Due to the  nature of the  awards and  given that the  performance period  for the 2023  and 2024  awards
commenced on 1 January 2023, the Group recognised a  charge in profit or loss related to the Stretch  CEO
LTIP of €1.952 million (2023: €1.899 million) during the year ended 31 December 2024.

 

The Group purchased 2,409,797 shares, for the purpose of the stretch CEO LTIP, at a total cost of  €3.196
million during the year ended 31 December 2023 which was recorded directly in equity in treasury  shares.
During the year ended 31 December 2024 a further 2,581,487 shares were purchased by the Group, at a total
cost of €5.006 million, and were  recorded directly in equity as  treasury shares. A trust structure  has
been set up with Computershare  Trustees (Jersey) Limited to hold  these shares until any future  vesting
arises.

 

Save as you earn scheme
 

The Group operates  a Revenue approved  savings related share  option scheme (save  as you earn  scheme),
which was approved at  the May 2019  Annual General Meeting,  under which the  Group recognised a  charge
during the year ended 31 December 2024 of  €0.061 million (2023: €0.117 million) of which €0.022  million
(2023: €0.048 million)  was charged  to profit  or loss  and €0.039  million (2023:  €0.069 million)  was
included in construction work in progress within inventories.

 

During the year ended 31 December 2024, the Company issued 359,769 ordinary shares at a nominal value  of
€0.001 in relation  to the  vesting of  the 2021 option  scheme, this  resulted in  €0.377 million  being
included in  share premium.  €0.153 million  was transferred  from the  share-based payments  reserve  to
retained earnings relating to the 2021 vesting.

 

Other share options
 

500,000 ordinary share options were issued in the year ended 31 December 2015 to a Director at that time.
250,000 of these options vested  during 2018 and the remaining  250,000 vested during 2019. The  exercise
price of each ordinary share option  is €1.00. At grant date, the  fair value of the options that  vested
during 2018 was calculated at €0.219  per share while the fair value  of options that vested during  2019
was calculated at  €0.220 per  share. During  the year  ended 31  December 2024,  500,000 ordinary  share
options were exercised and €0.110  million was transferred from  share-based payment reserve to  retained
earnings (2023: €nil).

 

 

 

11.  Loans and borrowings

                                            
                                    
                              2024      2023
                             €’000     €’000
Non-current liabilities
                                            
Bank and other loans
Repayable as follows:                       
Between one and two years   42,495    14,992
Between two and five years 124,559   143,844
Greater than five years          -         -
                           167,054   158,836
                                            
                                            
Current liabilities                         
Repayable within one year   14,992    14,992
Total current liabilities   14,992    14,992
 
                                            
 
Total borrowings           182,046   173,828
                                      

As at 31 December 2024, the  Group has a €327.5 million  syndicate facility (2023: €277.5 million).  HBFI
(Home Building Finance Ireland) joined  the Group’s existing syndicate of  lenders during the year.  This
resulted in the Sustainability Linked facility increasing by €50.0 million from €277.5 million to  €327.5
million. There was  no change to  the existing terms  of the syndicate  facility. The syndicate  facility
comprises a €90.5 million Sustainability  Linked term and €237.0  million revolving credit facility  with
Allied Irish Banks plc, Bank of Ireland plc, Barclays  Bank Ireland plc and HBFI, maturing in June  2027.
The drawn revolving credit facility at 31 December 2024 was €35.0 million (2023: €25.0 million)

 

Additionally, the Group has €57.5 million (2023: €72.5 million) of loan notes with Pricoa Capital  Group,
repayable on 31  July 2025 (€15.0  million) and 31  July 2026 (€42.5  million). In July  2024, the  Group
repaid €15 million to Pricoa Private Capital in respect of a loan note maturity.

 

All debt facilities are secured by a  debenture incorporating fixed and floating charges and  assignments
over all the assets of  the Group. The carrying  value of inventories as at  31 December 2024 pledged  as
security is €862.1 million (€943.4 million as at 31 December 2023). The Group had drawn revolving  credit
facilities of €35.0 million as  at 31 December 2024  (€25.0 million as at  31 December 2023). The  amount
presented in the  financial statements is  net of  related unamortised arrangement  fees and  transaction
costs of €1.0 million (2023: €1.2 million).

 

During February 2025, the Group successfully completed a debt refinancing of the €327.5 million syndicate
facility into  a new  €402.5  million Sustainability  Linked Syndicate  term  loan and  revolving  credit
facility with Allied  Irish Banks  plc, Bank  of Ireland  plc and  HBFI, repayable  in June  2029 with  a
one-year extension option (Note 21).

 

 

Reconciliation of movement of loans and borrowings to cash flows during the period ended 31 December 2024

 

                                       Term                               Loan
                                            Revolving credit facility              Total
                                       Loan                              notes
                                      €’000                     €’000    €’000     €’000
At 1 January                         76,348                    25,000   72,480   173,828
Proceeds from borrowings in the year 12,850                   380,000        -   392,850
Repayment of loans in the year            -                 (370,000) (15,000) (385,000)
Amortisation of borrowing costs         360                         -        8       368
At end of year                       89,558                    35,000   57,488   182,046

 

 

 

 

12.  Property, plant and equipment

                                                                                                 2024
                          Leasehold Improvements Motor Vehicles
                                                                Computers, Plant &  Equipment   Total
                                                               
                                                                                        €’000        
                                           €’000          €’000
                                                                                                €’000
                                                                                                     
Cost                                                                                                 
At 1 January                               2,905             59                         8,436  11,400
Additions in the year                          -              -                         2,592   2,592
Disposal                                       -           (59)                             -    (59)
At end of year                             2,905              -                        11,028  13,933
Accumulated depreciation                                                                             
At 1 January                               (828)           (58)                       (4,394) (5,280)
Depreciation for the year                  (260)              -                       (1,281) (1,541)
Disposal                                       -             58                             -      58
At end of year                           (1,088)              -                       (5,675) (6,763)
Net book value                                                                                       
At end of year                             1,817              -                         5,353   7,170
                                                                                               

The main additions during the period related to equipment purchases for construction sites and equipment.

 

                                                                                                 2023
                          Leasehold Improvements Motor Vehicles
                                                                Computers, Plant &  Equipment   Total
                                                               
                                                                                        €’000        
                                           €’000          €’000
                                                                                                €’000
                                                                                                     
Cost                                                                                                 
At 1 January                               2,860             77                         6,792   9,729
Additions in the year                         45              -                         1,644   1,689
Disposal                                       -           (18)                             -    (18)
At end of year                             2,905             59                         8,436  11,400
Accumulated depreciation                                                                             
At 1 January                               (567)           (68)                       (3,305) (3,940)
Depreciation for the year                  (261)            (8)                       (1,089) (1,358)
Disposal                                       -             18                             -      18
At end of year                             (828)           (58)                       (4,394) (5,280)
Net book value                                                                                       
At end of year                             2,077              1                         4,042   6,120
                                                                                               

 

 

13.  Leases

 

The Group leases its central support office property and certain motor vehicles. The office lease  formed
the majority of  the right of  use assets and  lease liabilities balance  as at 31  December 2024 and  31
December 2023. The discount rate attributed to the office lease is 2.6%.

 

The additions  during  the year  ended  31  December 2024  relate  to  vehicle leases  and  have  various
commencement dates throughout the year. The average  discount rate associated with these leases is  6.03%
(2023: 6.21%) which reflects Group’s incremental borrowing rate at the date of commencement.

 

Right of use assets

                            2024      2023
                           €’000     €’000
Cost                                      
At 1 January               7,139     8,190
Additions in the year      1,022       391
Disposals in the year      (162)   (1,442)
At end of year             7,999     7,139
Accumulated depreciation                  
At 1 January             (1,582)   (2,187)
Disposal                     162     1,442
Depreciation in the year   (987)     (837)
At end of year           (2,407)   (1,582)
Net book value                            
At end of year             5,592     5,557

 

 

Lease liabilities

                            2024    2023
                           €’000   €’000
Current liabilities                     
Lease liabilities                       
Repayable within one year  1,254     937
                                        
Non-current liabilities                 
Lease liabilities                       
Repayable as follows:                   
Between one and two years  1,194     927
Between two and five years 2,427   2,244
Greater than five years    1,570   2,319
                                        
                           5,191   5,490
Total lease liabilities    6,445   6,427

  

 

  The movements in total lease liabilities were as follows:

 

                                       2024      2023
                                       €’000     €’000
At 1 January                             6,427   6,797
Additions in the year                    1,022     391
Interest on lease liabilities (note 3)     233     206
Lease payments                         (1,237)   (967)
At end of year                           6,445   6,427

 

 

Contractual cash flows

The remaining undiscounted contractual cashflows for leases at 31 December 2024 were as follows:

 

                        Total  6 months or less                  1-2 years 2-5 years 5 years+
As at 31 December 2024                          6-12 months €000
                        €’000       €’000                          €’000     €’000    €’000
Lease liabilities      (7,120)      (750)            (713)        (1,356)   (2,683)  (1,618)

 

 

                        Total  6 months or less                  1-2 years 2-5 years 5 years+
As at 31 December 2023                          6-12 months €000
                        €’000       €’000                          €’000     €’000    €’000
Lease liabilities      (7,170)      (564)            (558)        (1,077)   (2,543)  (2,428)

 

 

14.    Intangible assets

 

Software

                             2024      2023
                            €’000     €’000
Cost                                       
At 1 January                6,630     4,282
Additions in the year       1,744     2,401
Disposals                       -      (53)
At end of year              8,374     6,630
Accumulated depreciation                   
At 1 January              (2,419)   (1,239)
Depreciation for the year (1,532)   (1,180)
At end of year            (3,951)   (2,419)
Net book value                             
At end of year              4,423     4,211

 

 

15.    Derivatives and hedging reserve

 

Current assets

 

                                        2024    2023
Derivative financial instruments       €’000   €’000
Interest rate swaps – cash flow hedges   105       -

 

 

 

Non-current assets

                                        2024    2023
Derivative financial instruments       €’000   €’000
Interest rate swaps – cash flow hedges     -     436

 

Derivative financial instruments

The Group has an interest rate  swap (swap) in respect of €18.75  million of its €90.5 million  syndicate
term loan. The  interest rate swap  has a fixed  interest rate of  1.346% and variable  interest rate  of
three-month Euribor. The fair  value of the swap  as at 31 December  2024 was €105,000 (2023:  €436,000).
Changes in the fair value of derivative hedging instruments designated as cash flow hedges are recognised
in the cashflow hedge reserve to the extent that the hedge is effective. Any gain or loss relating to the
ineffective portion is recognised in profit or loss in the period incurred. The hedge was fully effective
for the year ended 31  December 2024 and the  year ended 31 December 2023.  Amounts accounted for in  the
cashflow hedge reserve in respect of the swap during the current and prior year have been set out in  the
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity on page 10.

 

The full fair value of a  hedging derivative is classified as a  non-current asset or liability when  the
remaining maturity of  the derivative is  more than 12  months; it is  classified as a  current asset  or
liability when the remaining maturity of the derivative is  less than 12 months. As the swap is  maturing
in June 2025, the Group has classified this as a current asset at 31 December 2024.

 

Cashflow hedge reserve

The hedging reserve comprises  the effective portion of  the cumulative net change  in the fair value  of
hedging instruments used in cash flow hedges pending subsequent recognition in profit or loss or directly
included in  the  initial cost  or  other  carrying amount  of  a non–financial  asset  or  non–financial
liability. 

 

16.  Trade and other payables

                          2024     2023
                         €’000    €’000
                                  
Trade payables          26,896   22,053
Deferred consideration   7,500   11,810
Accruals                52,168   35,425
VAT liability           17,920   27,977
Other creditors          2,969    2,079
                       107,453   99,344

 

 

Deferred consideration  relates  to  amounts payable  in  relation  to land  purchased.  Other  creditors
represent amounts due for payroll taxes and relevant contracts tax.

 

The carrying value of all trade and other payables is approximate to their fair value.

 

17.  Earnings per share

 

The basic earnings per share for the year ended  31 December 2024 is based on the profit attributable  to
ordinary shareholders of €114.6 million  and the weighted average  number of ordinary shares  outstanding
for the period.

 

                                                                     2024          2023
                                                                             
Profit attributable to owners of the Company (€’000)              114,572        85,432
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share                114,572        85,432
                                                                                       
                                                                           
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for period (basic) 640,183,692   673,796,613
Dilutive effect of restricted share unit awards and options             -        41,284
Dilutive effect of LTIP awards                                  4,491,305     4,738,040
Denominator for diluted earnings per share                    644,674,997   678,575,937
 
                                                                                       
Earnings per share
  • Basic                                                       17.9 cent     12.7 cent
  • Diluted                                                     17.8 cent     12.6 cent
                                                                                       

The diluted earnings per share calculation reflects the dilutive impact of LTIP awards and share options.

 

 

18.  Dividends

 

Dividends of €44.7 million were paid by the Company during the year (2023: €41.9 million). A dividend  of
3.20 cent per ordinary share,  totalling €20.6 million, was  paid on 17 May 2024  and a dividend of  3.80
cent per ordinary share, totalling €24.1 million, was paid on 4 October 2024.

 

19.  Related party transactions

 

There were no related party  transactions during the year  ended 31 December 2024  and the year ended  31
December 2023 other than directors’ remuneration.

 

20. Commitments and contingent liabilities

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 357, Companies Act 2014, the Company has guaranteed the liabilities
and commitments of its subsidiary undertakings for their financial years ending 31 December 2024 and as a
result such subsidiary undertakings have been exempted from the filing provisions of Companies Act 2014.

 

As at 31 December 2024 Cairn Homes Properties Limited  had committed to sell 2,361 new homes for c.  €910
million (ex. VAT).

 

The Group in the normal course of business  has given counterindemnities in respect of performance  bonds
relating to the Group’s own contracts. The possibility of any outflow in settlement for these is remote.

 

At 31 December 2024, the Group had a contingent liability in respect of construction surety bonds in  the
amount of  €14.5 million  (2023: €4.6  million). The  Group  is not  aware of  any other  commitments  or
contingent liabilities that should be disclosed.

 

21. Events after the year end

 

Between 2 January 2025  and 9 January 2025,  the company repurchased 803,939  shares which completed  the
FY24 €45 million share buyback programme (Note 10).  In accordance with the share buyback programme,  all
repurchased shares are subsequently cancelled.

 

On 26  February 2025,  the Company  proposed a  final 2024  dividend of  4.4 cent  per share  subject  to
shareholder approval at the 2025 AGM on 08 May 2025. Based on the ordinary shares in issue at 26 February
2025, the amount  of dividend proposed  is €27.3  million. The proposed  final dividend of  4.4 cent  per
ordinary shares will be  paid on 15  May 2025 to ordinary  shareholders on the  Company’s register on  26
April 2025.

 

During February 2025, the Group successfully completed a debt refinancing of the €327.5 million syndicate
facility into  a new  €402.5  million Sustainability  Linked Syndicate  term  loan and  revolving  credit
facility with Allied  Irish Banks  plc, Bank  of Ireland  plc and  HBFI, repayable  in June  2029 with  a
one-year extension option.

 

CAIRN HOMES PLC 

COMPANY INFORMATION

                                                                                                         
 

Directors                                     Solicitors                             
John Reynolds (Non-Executive Chairman)        A&L Goodbody                           
Michael Stanley (Chief Executive Officer)     IFSC                                   
Richard Ball (Chief Financial Officer)        25-28 North Wall Quay                  
Julie Sinnamon (Non-Executive)                Dublin 1                               
Gary Britton  (Non-Executive, retired  on  31                                        
December 2024)
Giles Davies (Non-Executive)                  Eversheds-Sutherland                   
Linda Hickey (Non-Executive)                  One Earlsfort Centre                   
Orla O’Gorman (Non-Executive)
                                              Dublin 2                               
Orla O’Connor (Non-Executive, appointed on  1
January 2025)
Bernard      Byrne      (Non-Executive      &
Chair-Designate,                                                                     

appointed on 1 January 2025)
                                              Pinsent Masons LLP                     
Secretary and Registered Office               30 Crown Place                         
Tara Grimley                                  Earl Street                            
45 Mespil Road                                London EC2A 4ES                        
Dublin 4                                                                             
                                              Beauchamps                             
Registrars                                    Riverside Two                          
Computershare  Investor  Services   (Ireland) Sir John Rogerson’s Quay               
Limited
3100 Lake Drive                               Dublin 2                               
Citywest Business Campus                                                             
Dublin 24                                     Dillon Eustace                                             
                                              33 Sir John Rogerson's Quay            
Auditors                                      Grand Canal Dock                       
KPMG                                          Dublin 2                               
Chartered Accountants                                                                
1 Stokes Place                                Principal Bankers/Lenders              
St. Stephen’s Green                           Allied Irish Banks plc                 
Dublin 2                                      10 Molesworth St                       
                                              Dublin 2                               
                                                                                     
Website                                       Bank Of Ireland plc                    
www.cairnhomes.com                            Baggot Plaza                           
                                              27-33 Upper Baggot St                  
                                              Dublin 4                               
                                                                                     
                                              Home Building Finance Ireland          
                                              (HBFI)
                                              Treasury Dock                          
                                              N Wall Quay                            
                                              North Wall                             
                                              Dublin 1                               
                                                                                     
                                              Pricoa Private Capital                 
                                              8th Floor                              
                                              One London Bridge                      
                                              London SE1 9BG                         
                                              Pricoa Private Capital                 
                                                                                     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

 12 1 ROE (return on equity) is defined as profit after tax divided by total equity at year end.

 13 2 Basic EPS (earnings per share) is defined as the earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders
(€114.6 million) divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding for the period
(640,183,692 shares).

 14 3 DPS (dividend per share) of 8.2 cents is 3.8 cent interim dividend per ordinary share paid in
October 2024 and 4.4 cent proposed final dividend per ordinary share.

 15 4 Represents the total new homes sales closings year to date and forward sales agreed as at the
relevant date by number of units, total value (net of VAT) and average selling price (net of VAT).

 16 5 This comprises both closed sales and equivalent units. Equivalent units relate to forward fund
transactions which are calculated on a percentage completion basis based on the constructed value of work
completed divided by total estimated cost.

 17 6 ASP of €383,000 (2023: €389,000) excludes commercial units and associated revenue.

 18 7 Payout ratio is calculated as DPS (8.2 cent) as a percentage of basic EPS (17.9 cents).

 19 8 Forward fund transactions involve Cairn delivering new homes under a contractual relationship where
the land is sold up-front and the cost of delivering the new homes is paid on a phased basis.

═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Dissemination of a Regulatory Announcement, transmitted by EQS Group.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

   ISIN:           IE00BWY4ZF18
   Category Code:  FR
   TIDM:           CRN
   LEI Code:       635400DPX6WP2KKDOA83
   OAM Categories: 3.1. Additional regulated information required to be
                   disclosed under the laws of a Member State
   Sequence No.:   377365
   EQS News ID:    2092317


    
   End of Announcement EQS News Service

   ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

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