Written answers

Tuesday, 13 May 2025

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Housing Policy

Photo of Rose Conway-WalshRose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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653. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide an update on changes to planning regulations for modular housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24870/25]

Photo of Keira KeoghKeira Keogh (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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654. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the steps being taken to relax planning restrictions in respect of modular and ‘cabin-style’ homes in an effort to provide more housing; to provide a timeline in relation to these restrictions being relaxed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18586/25]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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707. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on the proposal to remove planning requirements for log cabin type residential structures for back gardens; when will this come before the Houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23503/25]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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708. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government whether the proposal to remove planning requirements for log cabin type residential structures for back gardens will apply retrospectively, or if it will only apply to new constructions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23504/25]

Photo of James BrowneJames Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 653, 654, 707 and 708 together.

While the Planning and Development Act 2024 was enacted in October 2024, it is not yet commenced and the provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended and associated Planning and Development Regulations 2001 remain in force.

A review of the current Exempted Development Regulations is ongoing and engagement with Government Bodies is due to be completed in the coming weeks. Following this a wider public consultation on exempted development regulations will be undertaken. Members of the public, State bodies and other concerned parties will be able to make submissions in writing as part of the consultation process.

The Government cannot pre-empt the outcome of any consultation and therefore no decision has been made in respect of any revisions to current exempted development provisions. This includes exemptions for modular homes, also colloquially referred to as 'log cabins'. Any update to Exempted Development Regulations will require positive resolutions by both Houses of the Oireachtas before it can be signed into law.

It is normal practice for planning regulations to come into effect when they are signed by the Minister and not to apply retrospectively. However, as stated previously, no decisions have been made in this regard so as not to pre-empt the outcome of the consultation process.

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