The Action Plan on Competitiveness & Productivity acknowledges the significant reform of planning legislation which has been undertaken since 2021, culminating in the enactment of the Planning and Development Act 2024, commencement of which is underway. The 2024 Act will result in significant improvements in terms of increased clarity, consistency and certainty for all stakeholders in the planning system, including those seeking to invest in development and undertake infrastructure projects. In particular the enhanced plan-led approach, introduction of mandatory decision making timelines for all consenting procedures including appeals, and revised judicial review arrangements, which is complemented by the establishment of the Planning and Environment Division of the High Court, will positively support improvements in our national competitiveness.
A phased commencement of the Planning and Development Act 2024 is underway to facilitate the transition from the existing legislative framework under the Planning and Development Act 2000 to that provided for under the new legislation. This transition takes into account the need to liaise with local authorities, planning bodies and many other key stakeholders. A detailed Implementation Plan has been published on www.gov.ie/planning which includes a commencement schedule for the Act and a range of initiatives to support training and engagement for the planning sector in preparation of the phased transition to the new legislative framework.
The Action Plan includes actions related to regional development and the potential for improved competitiveness in our regions aligned with national enterprise policy. The recently revised National Planning Framework sets out the strategic planning framework for the sustainable growth and development of Ireland to 2040, with the core objectives of following a compact growth approach to development and securing balanced regional development across our regions, including the regional cities. The Action Plan will also support the future growth and development of all regions through the provision of funding and increased alignment of the Regional Enterprise Plans with the statutory planning system and the Revised National Planning Framework.
A new Strategic Performance and Innovation Unit has been established within the Planning Division at my Department to examine the improvement and performance within the planning system. A National Planning Excellence Framework is currently being developed and stakeholder engagement is underway to identify measures to increase efficiency and innovation and monitor performance within the public planning system.
On 15 October 2024, my Department published a Ministerial Action Plan on Planning Resources to respond to capacity challenges in the planning sector. This Action Plan provides a detailed roadmap to increase the pool of planning and related expertise needed to ensure a planning system fit for future needs. In October 2023, approval was conveyed for 101 posts, in the local authority planning sector under the first tranche of a programme of supports for planning resources. Under the second tranche, further approval issued in January 2025 for 112 additional posts - 56 graduate planner posts and 56 staff officer posts - to support the Planning function within local authorities.
A graduate planner recruitment campaign was launched on 13 May 2025 to attract graduate planners into Ireland’s Local Authorities, which was supported by my Department. The occupation of town planner has been added to the Critical Skills Occupation List which will allow eligible non-EEA professionals from outside of Europe to benefit from streamlined employment permit processes, making it easier for Irish employers to recruit and retain international talent in this vital sector.
My Department is currently working on a number of measures to increase staffing levels in the local government planning sector. In this regard, my Department is collaborating with the Local Government Management Agency on the delivery of a further programme of supports to planning authorities. These supports include the provision of staffing resources and expertise to enable planning authorities to perform their functions efficiently and effectively.
