Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 November 2025
95. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans for a draft National Planning Statement to replace the 2025 apartment guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65674/25]
View answerThe Planning Design Standards for Apartments Guidelines for Planning Authorities, 2025 “the Apartment Guidelines” were issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) on 8th July 2025. Section 28 of the Act 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 Coimisiun Pleanála are required to comply with these requirements in the performance of their functions.
The commencement of provisions within Part 3 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 on 2 October 2025 provides the statutory basis for the issuing of National Planning Statements. Under the provisions of the Act of 2024 the Minster may, at any time and with the approval of Government, issue a National Planning Statement in relation to planning matters to support proper planning and sustainable development. National Planning Statements will replace Ministerial guidelines issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). Existing Ministerial Guidelines issued under Section 28 of the Act of 2000 will, over time, be revoked and replaced with National Planning Statements. The sequence and timing of replacing existing guidelines with National Planning Statements will be decided based on Government priorities.
The delivery of housing is a top priority for Government. The Government’s new housing action plan “Delivering Homes, Building Communities” supports the delivery of the revised National Planning Framework housing projections which set out the need to plan for the delivery of approximately 50,000 additional homes per annum to 2040. Fulfilling these commitments will require a substantial increase in housing output of all types, including the building of apartments at central and accessible urban locations.
An application for a judicial review was lodged with the High Court in October 2025, challenging the validity of the decision to issue the Apartments Guidelines in July 2025. Having regard to the impact that any potential delay to the conclusion of the legal proceedings would have on the delivery of much-needed housing, including the potential for a reference to the European Court of Justice or any appeal against a judgment of the High Court, and strictly without prejudice to the legal proceedings which the Government will continue to robustly defend, I intend to prepare a draft National Planning Statement under the Planning and Development Act 2024 for the approval of the Government relating to Apartment Standards.
In the interests of clarity, the current Apartments Guidelines are operational and will continue to have effect under the Act until such time as a National Planning Statement is in place.
