Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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1106. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views regarding the rationale for removing the 5% minimum requirement for artistic and cultural spaces in future large scale housing developments; if he has concerns that this decision will have a negative impact on future residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44486/25]

John Cummins (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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The Planning Design Standards for Apartments Guidelines for Planning Authorities, 2025 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.

Viability presents an ongoing challenge to housing delivery. This is particularly relevant for the delivery of apartments, where a considerable gap has emerged between the cost of delivering apartment development and comparable general housing market prices. Increased costs also present an ongoing challenge to the delivery of social and affordable housing schemes. The overall purpose of the Guidelines is to reduce costs and strike an effective regulatory balance, ensuring that apartment development meets the needs of society in terms of standards and quality, while promoting an increased level of output overall.

The provision of requirements for communal, community and cultural facilities can have significant implications for the viability of a development. The provision of communal, community and cultural facilities are also subject to ongoing management and maintenance costs that will need to be met by future residents and/or local authorities.

SPPR 6 of the Guidelines precludes a blanket threshold-based approach to the provision of communal, community and cultural facilities within apartment schemes. This does not preclude the provision of new communal, community and cultural facilities in specific locations identified within the development plan. Any such need should be determined by an audit process, including a ‘gap analysis’ of existing local amenities and facilities and the anticipated demand generated by new development, as set out in Section 7.2 of the Development Plans Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2022).