Written Answers Nos. 41-60
41. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will issue an order to allow the cutting of turf at bogs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53887/25]
View answerThe EU Directive on the Conservation of Habitats, Flora and Fauna (92/43/EEC), commonly known as “the Habitats Directive” requires Member States to select sites, for the protection of habitats and species which are considered threatened in the EU territory and listed on the annexes to the Directive. Annex I of the Habitats Directive includes priority habitats such as active raised bog, which are considered to be in danger of disappearing within the EU.
Ireland has long selected and protected a number of sites for the protection of Annex I raised bog habitats, including the bogs referred to, and designated these bogs as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). Approximately 9% of Ireland's original raised bog resource is protected for conservation purposes.
These raised bog SACs are included in European Sites as defined by the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations, 2011 ("the 2011 Regulations"). The cutting of turf may not be carried out or caused to be carried out or continued to be carried out on these plots by any person save in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 30, 31 and 32 of the 2011 Regulations. It is a criminal offence subject to prosecution to do so without the relevant statutory consent. Further details regarding activities requiring consent are available on my Department's website [www.npws.ie].
The cessation of turf cutting is generally required on all raised bog SACs to ensure Ireland meets its habitat conservation obligations.
To facilitate the cessation of turf cutting, the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme (CTCCS) was launched in 2011, from date of cessation for 15 years, to compensate households affected by the restriction on turf cutting for domestic use on raised bog SACs. Further details about peatlands are available on the National Parks and Wildlife Services website at www.npws.ie/peatlands-and-turf-cutting.
42. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether the funding provided in the Budget will lead to a decrease in homelessness from current levels by this time next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53813/25]
View answer123. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he will take to reduce homeless figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53940/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 123 together.
Addressing homelessness is a priority for my Department and for the Government. Ireland signed the Lisbon Declaration in June 2021, which committed all signatories to work towards ending homelessness by 2030. I will continue to work with the National Homeless Action Committee to ensure an all of Government approach to drive the ambition of the Lisbon declaration.
Critical to supporting households to exit homelessness is our continued investment in the social housing programme. Budget 2026 has continued the record level of investment in social housing, with €2.9bn in capital allocated to support the delivery of social homes by local authorities. This continued investment in the social housing programme will increase the supply of stock available to allocate to households on the social housing waiting list, including households in emergency accommodation.
A key focus of local authorities and their service delivery partners is to support households experiencing emergency accommodation to exit emergency accommodation to a tenancy. Budget 2026 provides an allocation of €513.5m to provide homeless emergency accommodation and supports. Capital funding of €50m has been allocated to support the provision of quality emergency and transitional accommodation.
43. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans for the reform of the Multi-Units Development Act 2011, and related regulations of the property service management agents sector. [53749/25]
View answerAt present, the Minister for Justice Home Affairs and Migration and his Department continue to have responsibility for the oversight of Owner Management Companies (OMCs) and related regulations.
Under Housing for All, to ensure that OMCs are financially sustainable, the Department of Justice, in collaboration with my Department is committed to making regulations under the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 (MUD Act), with regard to both sinking funds and service charges. I understand that these Regulations are now at an advanced stage of preparation within that Department.
Under the Programme for Government, my Department will take responsibility for the Multi-Unit Development Acts to streamline support for owners’ management companies and improve oversight. A timeline for the transfer of functions from the Department of Justice Home Affairs and Migration is being advanced and engagement between our Departments is ongoing to ensure this happens in a well-managed and efficient manner.
Under the Programme for Government my Department has taken responsibility for the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) since 1 August 2025. The PSRA is the statutory body with responsibility for licensing and regulating the property services sector (Auctioneers, Estate Agents, Letting Agents and Property Management Agents) in Ireland.
44. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will publish legislation on the multi-unit development defects redress scheme. [53748/25]
View answer55. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when it is expected that the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill 2024 will be introduced; if this piece of legislation can be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53755/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 55 together.
The Apartments and Duplex Defects Remediation Scheme (‘Scheme’) is expected to be established shortly after the passage of the legislation (the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill ('the Bill')), the timeline for which is subject to Oireachtas process. The General Scheme of the Bill will be made available to undergo pre-legislative scrutiny as soon as is practicable and I would anticipate this happening in the Dáil autumn term.
The Scheme will provide supports for the remediation of relevant fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013.
An Interim Remediation Scheme (‘Scheme’) has been in place since December 2023, to provide an acceptable level of fire safety in buildings pending introduction of the Statutory Scheme and completion of the full remedial works.
The Scheme is for the funding of emergency fire safety defect works in apartments and duplexes constructed between 1991 and 2013.
45. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the date on which guidelines will finally be put in place for the construction of large wind farms. [49020/25]
View answer131. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline when the new wind energy development guidelines will be published; and if the inclusion of ISO, or equivalent, standards for community engagement practices will form part of those guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53422/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 131 together.
Placing a pause on all wind energy developments is not being considered at present. The 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force, pending the finalisation of any revised guidance in this regard.
At the local level, the city and county development plans set out where development is acceptable including wind energy development. The making of the local city or county development plan is a reserved function of the local authority members. It is open to members of the public to make an observation or submission on a draft city or county development plan. In addition, the planning consent system provides for public or community engagement in respect of any development which requires planning permission.
My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. The review is addressing a number of key aspects of the Guidelines including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.
My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE), has been working to advance guidance on a number of these key aspects, including the noise aspect of the Guidelines, which is highly technical in nature. The two Departments have been engaging on all of these aspects to ensure they are robust and fit for purpose having regard to, amongst other things, the revised 2030 target to generate up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources.
My Department, in conjunction with DCEE, will make any further changes to the draft Guidelines which are deemed necessary or appropriate to ensure that the finalised Guidelines, once issued, are fit for purpose to provide guidance in line with renewable energy and climate targets, whilst having appropriate regard to the impacts of wind energy development, including in relation to noise annoyance.
The evolving policy and technical context including the new Planning and Development Act 2024, which was signed by the President on 17 October 2024, and the recent revision of the National Planning Framework (NPF) reinforces the need to ensure that the finalised Guidelines, once issued, are fit for purpose.
I am conscious of the commitment in the Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future, to prioritise the publication of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines, having regard to international best practice and standards. In light of this commitment, my Department is working towards concluding the finalisation of review of the Guidelines as a matter of priority, having regard to the requirement for public consultation and the finalisation of associated reforms and reviews included in the revision of the NPF.
46. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to review the targets for and operation of the affordable purchase scheme. [53750/25]
View answerAffordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of this Government’s housing policy. Since 2021 over 14,500 affordable housing supports have been delivered by a range of delivery partners through the various affordability measures in place.
Under the Programme for Government published in January 2025, the Government has committed to introduce a new, all of government, national housing plan to follow Housing for All. My Department is currently examining that commitment, its implementation and the potential timeframe. The ongoing operation of the local authority affordable purchase scheme will be addressed in the context of this plan.
The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) is open and available to support all local authorities to address affordability needs identified in their area.
Over 1,700 affordable purchase homes have been delivered with AHF support up to and including Q1 of 2025 from a total approved programme capacity of over 5,100 local authority affordable purchase scheme homes now in place. This programme will continue to expand and develop as local authorities continue to identify, develop and deliver additional projects in line with local needs.
Operating under similar principles, the First Home Scheme is a further key support for first-time buyers. Its published Quarter 2 2025 report showed that over 7,600 applicants had been issued with Eligibility Certs for the scheme and 3,691 homes had been purchased or built.
Together with the Croí Cónaithe Towns schemes and Help to Buy support, these affordable purchase measures are seeing high demand and are proving highly effective in addressing the affordability challenges so many people are facing.
48. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of approved housing body applications currently awaiting approval for cost rental in his Department; the length of time each application is waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53938/25]
View answerThe Cost Rental Equity Loan funding Scheme is available to Approved Housing Bodies to provide affordable rented accommodation to those who meet the income eligibility requirements for cost rental homes. The nature of the Cost Rental model means that Cost Rental homes are advertised and made available at a certain rent level, which is needed to cover the costs of delivery and provision. Cost rents must be at least 25% below prevailing market rents.
Applications for CREL are regularly received by my Department and as such the assessment and approval of applications on hand is continual. Thus far in 2025, some 41 applications, which will deliver more than 3,000 units out to 2029, have been approved. For reasons of commercial sensitivity, details of specific proposals awaiting approval cannot be released. However, my Department can confirm that it continues to work with the Approved Housing Body sector to deliver social and cost rental housing at scale.
49. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the housing schemes in Ros a Mhíl and Eanach Mheáin currently owned by an organisation (details supplied); if funding will be given from his Department to ensure that these homes will be used for social and affordable housing for the Gaeltacht community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53457/25]
View answerMy Department has provided funding approval for Ros a Mhíl and Eanach Mheáin social housing developments under the Capital Assistance Scheme, with initial funding already provided for the purchase of the relevant sites.
In the meantime, the respective projects, which were to be developed by a local Approved Housing Body, have encountered difficulties.
Feasibility studies and cost reports on the sites, which will also be funded my Department, are currently being reviewed amid ongoing discussions with Galway County Council. The primary focus of these discussions is how best these projects can be brought into full productive use for social housing, having regard to the full range of options being considered by the AHB and Galway County Council.
All options will be considered, and my Department will continue to work with Galway County Council to identify the best path forward, mindful of the need to strike an appropriate balance between safeguarding public funds and ascertaining good value-for-money on the one hand, and making full use of the properties and providing much needed social housing in the area on the other.
50. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage given the significant challenge that coastal community members face in competing for housing within their own communities due to national and international demand for second and/or holiday homes, if he will consider developing a scheme to provide affordable long-term State owned rental properties for coastal community members who are above the threshold for social housing support and cannot afford to purchase homes in their own community due to the competition for those houses as second or holiday homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53421/25]
View answerThe Government recognises the housing affordability challenges which may affect individuals and households across the country, including in coastal regions where demand for second and/or holiday home is making the challenge more acute.
The Government established a new State supported Cost Rental tenure in 2021. The rent for these homes are set to cover the costs of delivering, financing, managing and maintaining the homes, using a financial model over at least 40 years. This means that the rents are not subject to market pressures. Cost rental is is intended for moderate-income households which are above the income limits for social housing, but which have difficulty affording rental accommodation in the private market. My Department provides a range of funding packages to State bodies and housing charities who may develop new Cost Rental housing across the country, including in coastal regions,
Where a Cost Rental landlord (e.g. Local Authority) develops new homes in a particular location, there is now scope for local residents and workers to be given priority for these homes. Under amendments made late last year to the Affordable Housing Act 2021, and Regulations which I signed into law in July this year, landlords may propose 'Allocation Plans' for my approval. These Allocation Plans allow preference to be shown to people who live, work and/or in education in a certain geographical area. This will help to ensure that members of local communities are selected as tenants for Cost Rental homes.
While increasing and accelerating the supply of new housing including cost rental is a clear priority for Government, other initiatives will also have an impact.
The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment have drafted the Short Term Letting and Tourism (STLT) Bill General Scheme in full alignment with the EU Short Term Rental (STR) Regulation. The introduction of the STLT Bill will provide a more effective legal and administrative basis to regulate short term lettings. This Bill when enacted will provide the statutory basis for the introduction of a register for all Short Term Lettings in Ireland, which will be implemented and managed by Fáilte Ireland from 20 May 2026.
The Government recently agreed a policy to generally preclude new planning permissions for short term letting in cities and towns with a Census population in excess of 10,000 persons. It was further agreed that Local Authorities should have discretion to develop policies for other locations having regard to relevant local criteria to be set out in the guidance. This guidance will be introduced in the form of a National Planning Statement (NPS).
My Department is currently developing the National Planning Statement for the short term letting sector to supplement and support the introduction of the STLT Bill. It will consider a variety of factors, such as existing planning legislation, the long term housing need in the local authority area, the location of the proposed short term let and balancing housing need with the potential impact on tourism and economic development.
51. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which the March 2026 rent reset will be operationalised in a way that will protect renters and mitigate for the financial incentive for landlords to evict tenants ahead of the rent reset date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53901/25]
View answerOn 10 June 2025, the Government approved policy measures including modifications to rent controls to come into effect on 1 March 2026 in order to boost investment in the supply of homes available for rent and keep existing landlords in the market. The changes agreed will also provide significantly stronger tenancy protections and are finely balanced between the interests of tenants and the need for further private investment in the rental market across the country. Further information is available here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/press-releases/government-to-introduce-major-reforms-to-the-rental-sector/.
The modifications to rent controls have been informed by the findings of the Housing Agency review of Rent Pressure Zones and Potential Policy Options and its preferred recommendation to modify the operation of the existing RPZ rent controls. The report can be accessed here: www.housingagency.ie/publications/review-rent-pressure-zones-report.
Resetting of rents to market value will be allowed for new tenancies created (i.e. first time tenancy between parties) on or after 1 March 2026 as part of the reform of rent controls. However, resetting of rents will not be allowed where the preceding tenancy, if any, was terminated via a ‘no fault eviction’. Rent re-setting will only be allowed where a tenant terminates their tenancy or breaches their tenant obligations or where the dwelling is no longer suitable to the accommodation needs of the tenant household.
For existing tenancies (i.e. those created on or before 28 February 2026), resetting of rents to market value will not be allowed. The restriction on annual rent increases will continue to apply.
Legislation is being prepared and will be published later this year to give effect to these policy measures.
52. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the restoration of town councils. [53201/25]
View answerThe Local Government Reform Act 2014 dissolved 80 town councils which represented just 14% of the population. The previous town council system also led to duplication both in administrative and electoral terms. Instead, the Act saw the introduction of 95 municipal districts, representing 100% of the population, in 25 of the 31 local authorities at sub-county level, while area committees would operate in the 3 city authorities of Cork, Dublin and Galway, and the 3 Dublin county authorities.
Each municipal district can include several towns and villages and their hinterlands, with local matters dealt with at municipal district level and wider strategic issues decided at county level. The result is an integrated administrative structure in each county, which maximises operational efficiency while ensuring devolved decision-making throughout the county.
The Programme for Government commits to the establishment of a ‘Local Democracy Taskforce’ with the local government sector to finalise a programme for the reform and strengthening of local government. The Taskforce will bring forward proposals which the Government will consider on matters relating to the structure, finance, functions and governance and accountability of local government. The Government approved the establishment of the Local Democracy Taskforce on the 4 June 2025 and the Taskforce will make its recommendations in line with its Terms of Reference. I look forward to receiving and considering the recommendations of the Taskforce in due course.
53. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the work his Department is doing to ensure that there is no net decrease in land supply from rezoning by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53284/25]
View answerThe Revised National Planning Framework (NPF) was finalised and approved by Government and the Oireachtas in April 2025. The Revised NPF identifies the need to plan for approximately 50,000 additional households per annum to 2040.
The Revised NPF provides the basis for the review and updating of Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSESs) and local authority development plans to reflect such critical matters such as updated housing figures or projected jobs growth, including through the zoning of land for residential, employment and a range of other purposes.
To ensure that local authority development plans reflect the requirements of the NPF in respect of housing as soon as possible, I issued the NPF Implementation: Housing Growth Requirements Guidelines under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 in July 2025. These Guidelines set out the housing demand scenario to 2040 for each local authority, by translating the NPF housing requirements into average annual figures and set out the requirement for planning authorities to commence the process of varying their development plan to meet the new housing growth requirements.
In addition to the baseline housing growth requirement, planning authorities have also been requested to address the scope for additional provision of up to 50% in excess of the baseline housing growth requirement, in light of the urgent need to increase housing delivery and to optimise the ability to deliver on the housing requirements of the Revised NPF. This approach recognises the fact that, for a variety of reasons, a relatively significant proportion of zoned lands are not activated over the period of a development plan.
Planning authorities are currently assessing their current development plan and undertaking a review of the adequacy of existing zoned lands to cater for the new Housing Growth Requirement figures and the potential for ‘additional provision’.
The zoning of land for particular purposes, including housing, is an exercise undertaken by planning authorities as part of their overall statutory plan function generally as part of a development plan under sections 9 to 13 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended), but can at present also be carried out as part of a local area plan (LAP) process. The making of a development plan or an LAP is a reserved function of the elected members of each authority.
The Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) was introduced in the Finance Act in 2021 and applies to land zoned for residential development, or for mixed use purposes including residential development and which is ‘vacant or idle’, which also has the necessary services in place to support the development of housing. The aim of this tax is to increase the supply of land for building by activating land which has been zoned in a statutory land use plan adopted by a local authority and which is serviced.
Provision was made in the Finance Act in 2024 for landowners to request the relevant local authority to change the zoning of their land, where the land appears on the RZLT annual final map published on 31st January 2025. Under Section 653I(1)(c) of Part 22A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 the request must have been made between 1 February and 1 April 2025 to the relevant local authority. Subject to certain conditions, upon making the request, the landowner could seek an exemption from the tax for 2025 from the Revenue Commissioners.
Ministerial Planning Guidelines were issued in December 2024 to assist local authorities in considering rezoning requests where the landowner wishes to continue an existing economic activity. The Guidelines set out that where the landowner is carrying on an ongoing economic activity, and has not applied for planning permission for residential development or other uses which are not aligned with the ongoing economic activity, then their request should be facilitated.
Approximately 200 rezoning requests relating to c.280ha of land were received by 29 Local Authorities. 49 rezoning requests are being facilitated by local authorities through variation to their development plans.
Planning authorities are now also required to have regard to the further Ministerial Guidelines issued in July 2025 setting out the Housing Growth Requirements, referred to above, that are required to be incorporated into development plans.
54. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the increasing number of older persons who are falling into homelessness, particularly in Galway; the way in which he will support older persons in accessing secure and affordable housing given that the number of persons reaching pension age in precarious housing situations will only continue to rise with the unaffordability of home ownership; if measures will be given in Budget 2026 to address this aspect of the housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53458/25]
View answerCritical to preventing homelessness and to supporting households to exit homelessness is our continued investment in the social housing programme.
Budget 2026 continues the record level of investment in social housing, with €2.9 billion in capital allocated to support the delivery of social homes by local authorities. This continued investment in the social housing programme will increase the supply of stock available to allocate to households on the social housing waiting list, including households in emergency accommodation.
Budget 2026 provides an allocation of €513.5m to provide homeless emergency accommodation and supports. Capital funding of €50m has been allocated to support the provision and maintenance of quality emergency and transitional accommodation.
The Government’s new Housing Plan will be published shortly. The Plan will contain a suite of robust and targeted actions that will increase the provision of housing through accelerating supply and increasing the affordability of homes for our citizens. The Plan will also include a range of measures to address homelessness.
In addition, the Programme for Government includes a number of commitments related to increasing the supply of housing for older people. These commitments build upon the policy objectives in Housing for All, which commit to increasing housing available to older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence. Work on these commitments is ongoing within a Policy Group established to consider the implementation of these commitments through specific measures in the new Housing Plan that is currently being prepared by my Department.
56. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the Oscar Traynor Road site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53890/25]
View answer78. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he or his Department have been further advised by Dublin City Council on the time frame of delivery for the affordable purchase homes proposed for the Oscar Traynor Road site; if the homes are on track to be delivered during the first phase of delivery before the end of 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53891/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 78 together.
The development of the lands at Oscar Traynor Road is providing very significant additional housing in Dublin city, involving the phased delivery of 853 social, cost rental and affordable purchase homes with accompanying community and créche buildings. Dublin City Council (DCC), as housing authority, is responsible for the delivery and administration of this social and affordable housing scheme.
This development, having regard to its scale and importance, has been prioritised for inspection by Dublin City’s Building Control team and engagement between the contractor and DCC has been extensive.
DCC has recently advised my Department that it is confident that all homes in this development will be finished to a high standard and achieve full compliance with building standards without any undue delay to the overall project timeframe. This will see the first homes completed by end 2025 and the remaining affordable and social homes following on a phased basis until the development is fully complete by early 2028.
With regard to the first 16 affordable purchase homes advertised for sale and for which purchasers have been identified, DCC has advised that 10 homes will be delivered in December 2025 and a further 6 in January 2026.
57. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to consider the way in which greater downsizing options for those in private housing, who wish, to downsize their home can be provided. [53567/25]
View answerThe Programme for Government – Securing Ireland’s Future includes a number of commitments to deliver “Practical Housing Options for Positive Ageing”. These commitments build upon the policy objectives in Housing for All, which commit to increasing the housing available to older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence. This includes a commitment to review and standardise the Older Persons Housing Financial Contribution Scheme.
Work on these commitments is ongoing within a Policy Group established to explore proposals on how best to progress these commitments. Crucially, consideration of these proposals will feed into the development of the new Housing Plan that is currently being progressed in my Department. Advancement of a broader policy approach on rightsizing as committed to under Housing for All is being considered as part of this process to deliver on the commitments made in the Programme for Government.
58. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the work his Department is undertaking to enable local authorities to identify suitable sites for urban development zones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53464/25]
View answerThe overall aim of the Urban Development Zone (UDZ) process under Part 22 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 (Act of 2024) is to provide for an updated and more flexible approach to the masterplanning and delivery of areas with significant potential for large scale development, including residential development, in tandem with the associated supporting infrastructure. The UDZ process, when fully enacted, will replace the existing Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) process under Part IX of the Planning and Development Act 2000.
My Department recently issued Circular 2025/01 to the Local Authorities and other key stakeholders to notify them of the commencement of Chapters 1 and 2 of Part 22 of the Act of 2024. These legislative provisions set out the initial steps in a broader process concerning the designation of a candidate ‘urban development zone’ and ‘UDZ’, with details of the commencement set out in Planning and Development Act 2024 Commencement Circular No. 2025/01.
Chapters 1 and 2 of Part 22 consisting?of sections 597 to 600 came into operation from 9 June 2025.? It is anticipated that the remaining Chapters of Part 22 (providing for matters such as candidate UDZs, planning frameworks, development schemes and UDZ designation) will come into effect alongside Part 3 of the Act of 2024 later this year.
Under Section 597 of the Act of 2024 a planning authority may identify sites in its functional areas where development may be of significant economic, social or environmental benefit to the State and be in the common good. Such sites are referred to as “suitable sites”. As set out in the circular, it is intended that the UDZ designation will be most appropriate for large-scale urban areas in single or multiple land ownerships, that could include public and/or private lands, which have good public transport links and where comprehensive regeneration and development opportunities exist.
Given the significant scale of development proposed and the need to prioritise these areas for development, they are intended to be a focus for State investment, in particular in terms of infrastructure investment. UDZs will appropriately be located in areas which are under-utilised and are within or in close proximity to established settlements, in order to ensure that development responds to the compact growth objectives set out within the National Planning Framework.
59. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that Roscommon County Council is currently missing its housing targets by approximately 50 percent; the specific measures his Department will take to support Roscommon County Council in meeting the targets set out in its County Development Plan, which calls for an average of 392 new homes per year between 2022 and 2028; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53752/25]
View answerThe Revised National Planning Framework (NPF) was finalised and approved by Government and the Oireachtas in April 2025. The Revised NPF identifies the need to plan for approximately 50,000 additional households per annum to 2040.
The Revised NPF provides the basis for the review and updating of Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSESs) and local authority development plans to reflect such critical matters such as updated housing figures or projected jobs growth, including through the zoning of land for residential, employment and a range of other purposes.
To ensure that local authority development plans reflect the requirements of the NPF in respect of housing as soon as possible, I issued the NPF Implementation: Housing Growth Requirements Guidelines under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 in July 2025. These guidelines set out the housing demand scenario to 2040 for each local authority, by translating the NPF housing requirements into average annual figures and require planning authorities to commence the process of varying their development plan to meet the new housing growth requirements.
In addition to the baseline housing growth requirement, planning authorities have also been requested to address the scope for additional provision of up to 50% in excess of the baseline housing growth requirement, in light of the urgent need to increase housing delivery and to optimise the ability to deliver on the housing requirements of the Revised NPF. This approach recognises the fact that, for a variety of reasons, a relatively significant proportion of zoned lands are not activated over the period of a development plan.
Planning authorities, including Roscommon County Council, are currently assessing their current development plan and undertaking a review of the adequacy of existing zoned lands to cater for the new Housing Growth Requirement figures and the potential for ‘additional provision’.
This review and analysis will inform the preparation of a Chief Executive’s report to be submitted to the elected members which will set out the position in respect of each local authority, and the Chief Executive’s recommendations to the members as to what variations to the Plan may be required in order to meet the requirements of the Guidelines. A copy of the Chief Executive’s report is required to be submitted to the Minister and to the Office of the Planning Regulator. Planning Authorities are currently undertaking this initial review and assessment and will be engaging with their elected members.
The zoning of land for particular purposes, including housing, is an exercise undertaken by planning authorities as part of their overall statutory plan function generally as part of a development plan under sections 9 to 13 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended), but can at present also be carried out as part of a local area plan (LAP) process. The making of a development plan or an LAP is a reserved function of the elected members of each authority.
A new, all of government, national housing plan to follow Housing for All, underpinned by multi-annual funding, which will be published shortly, will provide the strategic framework to support the delivery of 300,000 new homes during the period of the Plan and identify actions to support a more sustainable housing system moving forward.
The plan will take a whole of government approach, as Housing for All did, and my Department has been engaging across Government to agree the high-level measures that will be included.
A programme of targeted stakeholder engagement has been undertaken. Written submissions have been received from across Government and from a range of external stakeholders including state agencies, the community and voluntary sector, industry and academics. These submissions have been carefully considered.
I have also met with many stakeholders to hear first-hand what actions they think should be reflected in the Plan.
In addition the outcome of the National Development Plan Review in July 2025 will be reflected in the Plan, which provided for records levels of capital expenditure by Government on infrastructure including housing.
In parallel to this work, significant progress has been made on establishing the Housing Activation Office. Senior specialists from Uisce Éireann, ESB Networks, the National Transport Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the local government sector are now in place. In addition, senior staff from my Department are assigned to the Office, with expertise in Planning, Project and Programme Management. Further administrative support is in place and staff from the wider Department are continuing to support the Office across corporate functions. The appointment of a Head to the Office is also being progressed as a matter of priority.
The Office is actively engaged in identifying barriers to housing delivery and is coordinating with local authorities and infrastructure agencies to address these barriers. The Office is also developing a new Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund under the National Development Plan to support direct investment in infrastructure needed at a local level to unblock housing development.
In addition, I intend to convene the Housing Activation Delivery Group in the coming weeks, bringing together senior representatives from Government Departments and infrastructure agencies to support the work of the Office. I will also convene a Housing Activation Industry Group that will provide for regular engagement with industry. I look forward to engaging with all stakeholders through these forums and ensuring that infrastructure for housing is prioritised and accelerated.
60. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the stalled PPP housing bundles; to provide an updated delivery time frame for the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53898/25]
View answer116. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a new building project will commence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53893/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 116 together.
The clear focus of this Government is to increase the supply of new build social and affordable homes. This is key to addressing the housing challenge and in particular preventing and ultimately eliminating long term homelessness, and that unquestionably must be the priority for all local authorities.
The social housing PPP programme was announced in 2014 aiming to deliver circa 1,500 units in three phases (Bundles 1 –3) with 25-year maintenance and tenancy management commitments before transferring to local authorities. In 2021, the Housing for All plan extended the initiative, identifying Bundles 4 –7 to deliver approximately 2,850 additional units.
Bundles 1 & 2 completed in 2021 delivered 999 new social homes across 8 counties.
Bundle 3 targeted the delivery of a further 486 social homes across 6 sites in 4 Local Authority areas. Legal proceeding have issued in relation to this matter and as this matter is now before the courts, it is not appropriate to make any further comment.
I have asked my Department to initiate, with the help of the NDFA, a review of PPP Bundles 4 to 7 to consider potential options and determine the optimal procurement and delivery strategy for the Exchequer.
