Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for his supportive comments. Again, I apologise that we do not have copies of the statement. I am happy to give him my copy when we finish this morning.

BTR development was, in effect, established as a separate class of development for planning purposes arising from Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments - Guidelines for Planning Authorities. The latest market data point to a period of investment in the BTR development sector that has served to establish BTR as an element of overall housing mix between 2018 and 2022. This investment means there is no longer a planning rationale to retain BTR as a separate development-type subject to more flexible design standards.

It is important there would be a transition period whereby BTR proposals currently in the planning system, or on which significant work has progressed and are about to enter the planning system, can be progressed to a planning decision. It is therefore considered reasonable that amended apartment guidelines that delete SPPRs 7 and 8 would be issued before the end of 2022.

Again, I will take back the Senator's request for the Minister to come before the Oireachtas joint committee. That would be most useful to give clarification on this matter. We will get back to the Senator regarding the specific questions he asked.