Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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236. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government whether there is provision for standalone timberframe houses in planning legislation, taking into account that the cost would be in the region of one third that of a traditional block build, the energy rating would be close to passive and the environmental impact of construction is hugely lessened by the fact that the construction takes place largely off-site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51797/23]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), there is no specific provision in relation to the development of standalone timber frame buildings as a housing type. All development works, unless specifically exempted under the Act or associated Regulations, requires planning permission.

Any person may lodge an application for permission to a planning authority in accordance with section 34 of the Act for the construction of a house (which may be a standalone timber frame house). It is a matter for the relevant planning authority to consider each application on a case-by-case basis and to decide whether to grant the permission, subject to or without conditions, or to refuse permission.

In making their decision, planning authorities shall have regard to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, the policies of Government, Ministerial Guidelines and any submissions or observations received on the application during the public participation process in accordance with section 34 of the Act.

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 the delivery of 90,000 social homes and 54,000 affordable homes by 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.

The Government’s Housing for All plan is a living plan with an in-built flexibility to review actions and targets, as needed. The plan currently sets out annual targets of overall housing delivery to 2030. A review and refresh of housing targets has commenced. The work will be underpinned by independent, peer-reviewed research by the ESRI. Itwill inform national and local housing targets, as well as subsets of social, affordable and private housing, and will ensure we provide enough of the right type of homes, in the right locations, to meet overall need. This work will have regard to detailed Census 2022 data published by the CSO. The ESRI research and analysis will be finalised in Q1 2024.

Significant progress is being made in delivering the ambitious targets contained in Housing for All and my Department is working closely with the local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies and other stakeholders to accelerate the delivery of social and affordable housing.