Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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473. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the proposed modular homes that are to be built on State land will be exempt from planning permission (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63456/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Housing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes an average of 10,000 new build social homes each year in the period to 2030. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.

Modern methods of construction (MMC) has been identified as a key measure to address increased housing delivery and methods to support increased use of MMC are set out in Pathway 5 of Housing for All. All homes delivered using MMC must comply with the Building Regulations, the aim of which is to provide for the safety and welfare of people in and about buildings, and in addition achieve a 60-year durability for all key elements. For new innovative products or systems, not covered by existing standards, compliance with the Building Regulations can be demonstrated by 3rd party certification by an independent approval body, such as National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) Agrément.

The Housing for All Action Plan Update, which was published on 2 November, includes a new action to develop a roadmap with targets for increased use of MMC in public housing. My Department is now working closely with the local authorities to increase the use of MMC in social and affordable housing. A copy of Housing for All Action Plan Update can be access on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/da0d1-action-plan-update-and-q3-2022-progress-report/

In relation to the planning requirements, the provisions under sections 3, 13 and 14 of the Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Act 2022 which will insert section 179A into the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, are not yet commenced and are expected to commence in the coming weeks in tandem with the associated regulations. These provisions, once commenced, will provide that housing development by, on behalf, or in partnership with a local authority which commences construction before the end of 2024 will be exempt from planning permission and from the Local Authority ’Part 8’ process, subject to a number of specific conditions. Where a development does not satisfy the conditions set out in section 179A, the normal Local Authority own development arrangements under the ‘Part 8’ process will apply.

The Question may be referring to the Office of Public Works (OPW) led delivery of a modular housing programme for Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection on behalf of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Emergency planning powers under European Union (Planning and Development) (Displaced Persons From Ukraine Temporary Protection) Regulations 2022 are in place to support this delivery.