Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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232. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the means by which he will ensure that any party reform or planning policy does not simply favour large developers at the expense of local communities, quality standards and affordability, given that the Central Bank has publicly stated that planning rules, not financial constraints, are now the principal barrier to increasing housing supply; and if he will publish the full impact assessment before enacting those reforms. [53947/25]

John Cummins (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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The delivery of housing which supports sustainable communities and quality design is a key focus of the National Planning Framework (NPF), first published in 2018 and revised in 2025. The NPF sets out the Government’s strategy for planning that supports a compact growth approach to development, facilitated by sustainable forms of mobility (i.e. public transport, cycling and walking), with objectives that promote a cleaner environment and biodiversity protection and enhancement.

In support of the NPF objectives, the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities, “the Settlement Guidelines”, were issued as Ministerial Guidelines in January 2024, under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).

The Settlement Guidelines expand on higher-level policies of the NPF, setting policy and guidance in relation to the growth priorities for settlements, residential density, urban design and placemaking and introduce development standards for housing. This includes a series of ‘key indicators of quality urban design and placemaking’ centred around sustainable and efficient movement, a vibrant and diverse mix uses, open space and natural amenities and an attractive built form. These indicators will inform development strategies for settlements, neighbourhoods or an individual sites throughout the plan making and development management processes. Another key focus of the Settlement Guidelines is to support innovations with regard to compact forms of ‘own door’ housing that can deliver more diverse and affordable forms of housing at medium densities.

Fulfilling the objectives of the NPF will require a substantial increase in housing output of all types, and need for a renewed focus on the delivery of apartments, particularly in city and town centres and areas accessible by public transport. The delivery of apartments is particularly challenging and there is a considerable gap between the cost of building an apartment and comparable market prices. Increased costs also present an ongoing challenge to the delivery of social and affordable housing schemes.

The Planning Design Standards for Apartments Guidelines for Planning Authorities, “the Apartment Guidelines” were issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) in July 2025. The Apartment Guidelines apartment mix/typologies, space standards, dual aspect ratios, floor to ceiling heights, stair/lift cores, and amenity spaces. 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.

Under the provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2024, Ministerial Guidelines will, over time, be reviewed and replaced, as appropriate, with National Planning Statements (NPSs). In the interests of clarity, all existing guidelines will continue to have effect until such time as they are replaced by an NPS or revoked.