Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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60. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he has confidence in the national planning framework considering its lack of emphasis on the practical supports needed to implement these developments over the next 15 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24352/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The National Planning Framework (NPF), is the whole-of-Government strategy for strategic planning and sustainable development of our urban and rural areas to 2040, with the core objectives of securing balanced regional development and a sustainable ‘compact growth’ approach to the form and pattern of future development. The NPF, together with the National Development Plan 2021 (NDP), combine to form Project Ireland 2040, the overarching planning and investment framework for the social, economic and cultural development of Ireland.

The NPF provides the spatial policy framework but in itself does not directly provide for investment, with the National Development Plan (NDP) playing a key role in this regard. The National Development Plan (NDP) is the rolling capital programme linked to the National Planning Framework (NPF). The alignment of the NPF with the National Development Plan (NDP) through Project Ireland 2040 governance, provides a solid foundation for sustained growth and investment. Policy coherence and the co-ordination of investment programmes have been identified as critical elements for the successful implementation of the NPF strategy. Substantial supporting frameworks within Government were established to assist in the implementation of the National Development Plan and the National Planning Framework.

Other important arrangements have also been put in place since the NPF was first published in 2018, to deliver on the objectives of the NPF. For example, the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) has been established to oversee the implementation of the NPF through the statutory plan-making process with the aim of improved alignment of the planning policy hierarchy at national, regional and local levels; the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) and Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) have been established to provide funding to deliver on objectives relating to urban and rural regeneration, including in relation to matters such as vacancy and dereliction; and the Land Development Agency (LDA) has been established to increase the State’s ability to develop housing and to promote a pro-active approach to land assembly and the masterplanning of areas with potential for development.

In addition, the ongoing development of complementary measures including the Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT), Land Zoning Value Sharing and Urban Development Zones (LZVS/UDZs), and the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines published in January 2024, which focus on residential density and housing typologies in urban areas, are delivering on the NPF objectives of delivering increased housing supply with a more compact pattern of development.

In June 2023, the process of revising the NPF (2018) commenced, and following approval by Government and both Houses of the Oireachtas recently, the Revised NPF came into effect from 30 April 2025. The finalised revised NPF reflects the significant policy changes and other factors that have taken place since 2018, allowing the updated policy approach to be integrated into the planning system. This Revised NPF provides the basis for the review and updating of Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSESs) and local authority development plans to reflect matters such as updated housing figures, projected job growth and renewable energy capacity allocations, including through the zoning of land for residential, employment and a range of other purposes.

The recent NPF Revision process has given rise to consideration of implementation to date, and the potential need for further support for the implementation of the NPF strategy. In particular, the process highlighted the need to give effect to the efficient coordination and delivery of enabling infrastructure and services.

The Programme for Government (2025) has emphasised the delivery of essential infrastructure as a key driver in attracting and retaining investment in Ireland, growing our economy, fostering regional development, delivering on our housing targets and achieving our ambitious climate goals.

In April 2025, Government agreed a set of key actions focused on accelerating infrastructure delivery, including the review the National Development Plan, emphasising the Programme for Government’s prioritisation of increased investment in growth enhancing infrastructure, such as energy grid capacity, water supply, transport connectivity and health digitalisation; the establishment of a new Infrastructure Division within the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform; the preparation of an evidence-based assessment of the barriers impeding timely infrastructure development, which will inform an Action Plan of high-impact reform measures that Government will consider for implementation; the establishment of a new Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce; and the expansion of the role of the National Development Finance Agency, providing additional expert assistance and support on major public capital investment projects.

In addition, Government has recently agreed to establish a Housing Activation Office to identify and seek to address barriers to the delivery of infrastructure projects required to enable housing to develop through the alignment of funding and the coordination of infrastructure delivery providers. The Office will develop a coordinated programme of public infrastructure investment to address infrastructure barriers impacting housing delivery.