Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes, that is a 20% increase. This was an application from a developer to build 190 to 200 units of housing. The judgment in the case, with which I have no dispute, said that this development would more than likely put the projected population of Barna over the projected 2,220 figure, and planning permission was refused.

Councillors could set a local area plan by saying that they do not believe the population of the area will grow by more than 10% or 20% over the period of the plan that they are adopting. This can have huge consequences at the end of the day for a country that has a significant housing crisis. This is an area at which the Minister of State should look very closely.

It was not the only reason that this planning application was refused but it sets a trend throughout the country. This is an area that the Government or the Minister of State's Department should look at. Local authorities should probably have more tools available to say what their projected population is going to be. The Government has the Project 2040 strategy which wants to grow the population of the country by over 1 million additional people by 2040. Area action plans that have been arrived at by just saying that the population will grow by 10% or 20% over a given period could have huge consequences for homeowners and for people who want to live or buy a house in a certain area.