Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
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1714. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he has met with an organisation (details supplied) to discuss changes to the planning permission standards for apartment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44305/25]

Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
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1715. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he has plans to meet with an organisation (details supplied) regarding planning permission changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44306/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1714 and 1715 together.

The Planning Design Standards for Apartments Guidelines for Planning Authorities, 2025 “the Guidelines” were issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Act of 2000). Section 28 provides that planning authorities and An Coimisiún Pleanála shall have regard to Ministerial guidelines in the performance of their functions. Where the Guidelines contain specific planning policy requirements (SPPRs), planning authorities and An Coimisiún Pleanála are required to comply with these requirements in the performance of their functions.

The Guidelines set out technical standards relating to apartment development and apply where the principle of apartment development has been established through previous stages of the plan-making process. This includes the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlement Guidelines (SRDCSGs), 2024, which sets out density requirements for various settlements based on the NPF settlement hierarchy, and within settlements based on proximity to services and other environmental considerations. The SRDCSGs are to be applied through the adoption by local authorities of statutory plans made under the Act of 2000.

In order to facilitate the expedited construction of apartment developments, when commenced, section 44B of the Act of 2000 (to be inserted by section 29 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2025) will allow the holder of a permission to make a limited number of modifications to an existing permission where such modifications are made in accordance with the new Guidelines, namely:

SPPR 1 - Apartment Mix

• SPPR 2 - Apartment Floor Areas
• SPPR 3 - Dual Aspect - Walls and windows
• SPPR 4 - Floor to Ceiling Heights
• SPPR 5 - Number of lifts and stairways
• Other works necessary works to accommodate the changes (footpaths, boundaries, gardens and balconies)