Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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596. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the measures his Department are evaluating to reduce building costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54816/25]

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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600. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his Department will assess the amount construction costs will be reduced if planning application wait times are reduced by 25%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54821/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 596 and 600 together.

The delivery of new housing is multifaceted and relies on many different factors such as the supply of zoned serviced land, an efficient planning system, timely delivery of infrastructure, the availability of adequate development funding at a reasonable price, the cost of construction, adoption of efficient technologies and practices, acquisition of professional services and the additional charges levied by the State on the economic activity.

While Government does not have control over some of the main factors which have been driving up the general cost of delivery, such as the increased cost of construction materials and the increased cost of private finance, it is addressing many areas which influence the cost of delivery.

Briefly, these include recent housing market taxation measures as announced at Budget 2026, the implementation of the Planning and Development Act 2024, the establishment of the Housing Activation Office, the revised apartment guidelines, the standardised design study to promote standardisation and the adoption of modern methods of construction.

The Planning and Development Act is introducing statutory time periods for decision making for An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP) for the first time and their resources have been increased to deal with cases. This will speed up the consent process. A reduction in planning application waiting times will provide greater clarity for the costs associated with undertaking a development project including the cost of finance and professional fees relating to planning matters.

The upcoming National Housing Plan will include any additional complementary measures to address the cost of delivery in addition to the substantial actions already taken.