Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:632. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the cost of the rebrand/renaming of An Bord Pleanála. [55232/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraState Bodies
Ceisteanna (632)
Freagraí scríofa
The cost of the rebranding/renaming An Bord Pleanála to An Coimisiún Pleanála was €76,921.47.
The majority of the cost is made up of three components:
• Architects consultancy - €18,450: An Coimisiún Pleanála’s office is located beside the Luas line on Marlborough Street in Dublin, and changing the signage required consultation and coordination with Dublin City Council and the Luas operator to ensure services were not disrupted.
• Installation of signage - €27,426.80: Installation of external over entrance signage, sleeves on canopy and two corner projection signs with new name of An Coimisiún Pleanála on office building.
• Radio ad campaign - €18,450.
Other costs include fees to change the name on official seals, newspaper notices, translation services, and changes to conference room logos, which amount to €12,594.67.
The name change to An Coimisiún Pleanála is part of an overall programme of transformation and change in the organisation, which will continue to play a critical part in the Irish planning system. I am confident that we now provide the correct platform to address legacy issues in a manner that underpins confidence in the planning system, and ensures the transformation of the structure as part of the continuous improvement required to ensure that the planning system evolves to meet both current and future challenges.
Land Issues
Ceisteanna (633)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:633. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost of a half-acre residential zoned site in rural Ireland, excluding cities. [55233/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, I have no function in the gathering or collating of data in relation to land prices, which are highly variable over time and are site and location specific. My Department does not have the information requested.
The Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) mapping data which is published by Local Authorities identifies the location of zoned and serviced land that falls into the scope of the tax measure. This data does not however contain any data in respect of land ownership or price. The RZLT is managed and enforced by the Revenue Commissioners, with a self-assessment of market value of the land undertaken by landowners as part of their annual tax return and submitted to Revenue.
Housing Schemes
Ceisteanna (634)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:634. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average construction costs incurred by local authorities, per house, in the construction of social houses. [55234/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department assesses, approves and records local authority social housing delivery on a project basis, rather than on the basis of individual unit types.
As Social Housing Investment Programme funded construction projects by local authorities must, like all publicly-funded construction programmes, comply with the Infrastructure Guidelines (Public Spending Code) and Capital Works Management Framework, my Department periodically issues Basic Unit Costs (BUCs) for each local authority area, for use as a key benchmark for the development and costing of scheme designs at capital appraisal stage. While not a record of actual delivery costs, BUCs are based on an analysis of returned data from tendered social housing schemes over an extended period and updated based on published tender index information as required.
To monitor tender cost trends and to inform BUC levels, my Department analyses the tender data for the construction cost element of new build schemes approved under the SHIP & CAS four stage approval processes for each unit type, where sufficient information is available to allow such costs to be extrapolated and where the information available is appropriate for comparison purposes.
Outlined in the table below are average construction costs per unit (incl. VAT), for each Local Authority, recorded as part of the aforementioned analysis for projects tendered in the years 2023, 2024 & 2025 (to July).
The table also sets out the range of average unit costs (across different projects) for each local authority. The range of costs recorded vary, depending on design, mix of unit types (e.g. bedroom numbers, apartment/house); and on the level of abnormal requirements for each scheme, for instance existing site conditions, demolitions, service diversions, site access requirements. Average abnormal costs are also separately identified in the below tables.
|
2023 – July 2025 |
|
Construction Costs (incl. abnormals) |
Abnormal Costs |
|
Local Authority |
Average Cost Per Unit € |
Range of Costs Per Unit € |
Average Cost Per Unit € |
|
Carlow |
215,423 |
215k - 215k |
10,289 |
|
Cavan |
253,368 |
192k - 294k |
31,728 |
|
Clare |
275,980 |
257k - 306k |
36,332 |
|
Cork City |
381,400 |
240k - 420k |
29,488 |
|
Cork County |
280,978 |
165k - 372k |
31,544 |
|
Donegal |
268,900 |
236k - 329k |
35,058 |
|
Dublin City |
448,900 |
449k - 449k |
31,025 |
|
Fingal |
312,632 |
271k - 324k |
32,599 |
|
South Dublin |
385,666 |
350k - 437k |
22,609 |
|
DLR |
351,136 |
252k - 376k |
29,569 |
|
Galway City |
341,589 |
226k - 355k |
26,822 |
|
Galway County |
259,328 |
232k - 272k |
32,527 |
|
Kerry |
345,203 |
231k - 368k |
52,672 |
|
Kildare |
371,346 |
371k - 371k |
62,131 |
|
Kilkenny |
269,848 |
260k - 293k |
35,815 |
|
Laois |
290,221 |
228k - 344k |
32,632 |
|
Leitrim |
182,663 |
183k - 183k |
2,614 |
|
Limerick |
302,932 |
196k - 361k |
48,445 |
|
Longford |
275,711 |
246k - 285k |
28,849 |
|
Louth |
329,426 |
303k - 368k |
58,079 |
|
Mayo |
317,117 |
262k - 414k |
57,051 |
|
Meath |
303,255 |
222k - 374k |
40,589 |
|
Monaghan |
307,044 |
291k - 342k |
21,515 |
|
Offaly |
283,215 |
283k - 283k |
45,664 |
|
Roscommon |
237,273 |
211k - 277k |
10,970 |
|
Sligo |
291,804 |
256k - 332k |
33,087 |
|
Tipperary |
275,893 |
219k - 287k |
42,960 |
|
Waterford |
276,252 |
221k - 298k |
53,735 |
|
Westmeath |
269,855 |
250k - 460k |
29,576 |
|
Wexford |
322,640 |
262k - 359k |
43,407 |
|
Wicklow |
328,923 |
170k - 387k |
44,152 |
The costs in the above table relate to the construction element only of the all-in delivery cost. Other items that make up the all-in total include:
• Design/technical fees: Design fees vary from project to project, depending on the location, size and complexity of a scheme (and depending on whether design services are provided by a local authority in-house or via external appointment). As a guideline/indicator, design fees are generally expected to range between 7.5% to 12.5% of construction costs.
• Land cost: Land costs will vary significantly from project to project, depending on location and ownership status (i.e. land costs could vary from existing local authority land at no cost to land purchased at market value).
• Utilities: Connection fees for Irish Water, ESB, gas, etc. As a guideline/indicator, utility connection costs are generally in the order of €7k per unit.
• Other Costs: Other items that make up the all-in delivery cost can include site investigations/surveys, archaeological requirements, Percent for Art contributions - and will vary from scheme to scheme.
Animal Welfare
Ceisteanna (635)
Ruth Coppinger
Ceist:635. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will be allocating funding to Dublin Zoo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55296/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department does not fund Dublin Zoo.
The NPWS has responsibility for the implementation of the European Communities (Licensing and Inspection of Zoos) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 440/2003) which deal with the inspection, licensing and regulation of zoos and aquaria. These Regulations transpose the EU Zoos Directive, giving effect in the national context to the EU Zoo Directive (Directive 1999/22/EC of 29 March 1999 of the Council of the European Union). The role of the NPWS is to ensure that the Zoos are operating in compliance with the above regulations.
Renewable Energy Generation
Ceisteanna (636)
Pa Daly
Ceist:636. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on workforce planning in An Coimisiúin; the additional resources which are planned in order to accelerate decisions on renewable energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55352/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An Coimisiún Pleanála (the Commission) is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2024, as amended, and certain other Acts.
There are now more people working at the Commission than at any time previously. Since October 2021, my Department has agreed to 117 new staffing posts in the Commission. The Commission has advised that as of 30 September 2025 there were 288 individuals working in the Board including Planning Commissioners. The Commission received approval and sanction from my Department for a total of 313 posts to date.
The Planning and Development Act 2024 includes a number of new provisions relating to An Coimisiún Pleanála, as part of a significant restructure. The Act will introduce statutory time periods for decision making for all consent processes, including, for the first time, for An Coimisiún Pleanála. This will bring increased certainty to the planning consent processes, for both the public and stakeholders involved in the delivery of key infrastructure such as housing and renewable energy.
In 2024, decisions were issued in respect of a total of 24 wind farms and approximately 140 wind turbines were granted. 18 solar farms were also approved. Statutory timelines for Commission decisions in respect of infrastructure and other applications which are required to be submitted directly to the Commission will be introduced upon commencement of Part 4 of the Planning and Development Act 2024.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Coimisiún Pleanála in this regard is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
Departmental Expenditure
Ceisteanna (637)
Albert Dolan
Ceist:637. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department and each body under its aegis discloses expenditure on external consultancy and adviser fees, by category (details supplied) in their annual report and or financial statements for each accounting year; if they provide direct web links to the most recent publications where these Section 1.5 disclosures are set out for his Department and for each aegis body; and if they provide the total consultancy and adviser fees by the Section 1.5 categories for each of the past five years for his Department and for each aegis body, respectively; and the internal controls that are in place to ensure that these category-level disclosures are made annually and that procurement of such services complies with applicable competitive tendering rules, in tabular form. [55370/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
State bodies under the aegis of my Department are independent in the performance of their functions and my Department does not collate or hold the specific information requested.
My Department does however engage in a number of ways with the bodies under its aegis regarding the requirement to comply with all relevant business and financial reporting requirements. For example, an annual survey in respect of compliance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies is issued to all the State bodies each year and includes a series of questions on business and financial reporting requirements, including consultancy reporting requirements.
The most recent survey in 2024 confirmed that all bodies subject to this reporting requirement disclosed, where relevant, information on external consultancy and adviser fees in their annual report and financial statements. Annual reports are published on each body's website.
The Deputy may wish to contact the State bodies directly for details of expenditure on external consultancy and adviser fees over the past five years. Arrangements have been put in place by each State body to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. Contact email addresses for each body are set out in the table below.
|
Bodies under the Aegis of DHLGH |
Oireachtas email |
|
An Coimisiún Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce |
oireachtas@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority |
oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.ie |
|
Construction Industry Register Ireland |
info@ciri.ie |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
infodocklands@dublincity.ie |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@gasnetworks.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Oireachtas@housingagency.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
oireachtasmemberqueries@lgma.ie |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
oireachtas@noac.ie |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
Property Services Appeal Board |
psabsecretary@psab.ie |
|
Property Services Regulatory Authority |
pq@psr.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Tailte Éireann |
Oireachtas@tailte.ie |
|
Uisce Éireann |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
oireachtas@valuationtribunal.ie |
|
Waterways Ireland |
oireachtas@waterwaysireland.org |
It is noted that the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies does not apply to the Department. My Department publishes all financial information as required by regulation or statute. Further information can be found on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/organisation-information/procurement/.
Wastewater Treatment
Ceisteanna (638)
Joe Cooney
Ceist:638. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the delivery of Measure 8 pilot wastewater schemes in Cooraclare and Broadford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55378/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under my Department's Multi-annual Rural Water Programme, approval in principle of approximately €45 million in funding has been provided for a number of projects to address the wastewater collection and treatment needs of villages without access to public wastewater services. This includes the Cooraclare and Broadford projects referenced in the Question.
The delivery of these projects rests with the relevant local authorities, who are required to work in consultation with Uisce Éireann, reflecting that the infrastructure being constructed will ultimately be owned by, and will fall to be operated by, Uisce Éireann.
Since the funding announcement, the local authorities and Uisce Éireann jointly undertook and completed a reassessment of the projects. This review identified the most efficient construction options and clarified the level of co-funding required from each local authority.
The local authorities have since submitted their updated proposals. These submissions have been received by my Department and are being progressed to move the projects towards delivery.
Question No. 639 answered with Question No. 558.
Housing Schemes
Ceisteanna (640)
Barry Heneghan
Ceist:640. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the two-year restriction is being reviewed or removed regarding the housing in situ scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55411/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I refer to my reply to Question No. 269 of 7 October 2025 and advise the position remains unchanged.
Planning Issues
Ceisteanna (641)
Conor Sheehan
Ceist:641. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the date by which he will commence section 587 of the Planning and Development Act 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55433/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Planning and Development Act 2024 (Act of 2024) will introduce a new set of procedures intended to address 'spurious' planning submissions, appeals and judicial reviews. Section 587 of the Act of 2024 prohibits a person from requesting a payment, benefit in kind, or other specified economic benefits, for not making a planning submission or taking a planning appeal or judicial review, or for withdrawing a submission, planning appeal or a judicial review.
A person who in contravention of section 587 will be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both. It should be noted that section 587 does not apply to a request made by the owner or occupier of land or a maritime site made in good faith for the purpose of compensation for loss of enjoyment of that land or maritime site by the owner or occupier and which is likely to be occasioned by a proposed development.
Section 587 is scheduled to be brought into operation alongside the corresponding development consent provisions under Part 4 of the Act of 2024. As set out in the commencement schedule for the Act of 2024 (available to view at www.gov.ie/planning) it is anticipated that Part 4 will be commenced under 'Block C' of the schedule, which is due to be actioned following the completion of the 'Block B commencements' that are due to take place before the end of this year.
Question No. 642 answered with Question No. 616.
Question No. 643 answered with Question No. 616.
Building Regulations
Ceisteanna (644)
Jennifer Whitmore
Ceist:644. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on his Department’s work to develop embodied carbon methodology and to establish structures in line with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive to reduce carbon in construction materials for all new buildings, as committed to in the Climate Action Plan 2025 and due in Quarter 3 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55489/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A cross-departmental steering group lead by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland was established in 2024 to develop embodied carbon methodology and to establish structures in line with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive to reduce carbon in construction materials for all new buildings.
Following a stakeholder workshop and public consultation during the summer the final report was submitted to my Department at the end of Q3 2025.
The final report and methodology is planned to be published by the SEAI in the coming months.
Building Regulations
Ceisteanna (645)
Jennifer Whitmore
Ceist:645. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on his Department’s work to complete a built environment and planning scoping exercise, as committed to in the Climate Action Plan 2025 and due in Quarter 3 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55490/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the National Adaptation Framework, my Department agreed to complete a Built Environment and planning scoping document.
The National Climate Change Risk Assessment (NCCRA) was published by the EPA in June 2025 and the recommendations from this report have been included in the draft scoping document.
Work to complete the document is continuing.
Along with the Built Environment and Planning scoping exercise, 3 of the 10 Sectoral Adaptation Plans are the responsibility of my Department. These are:
• The Built and Archaeological Heritage Adaptation Plan.
• The Water Quality and Water Services Infrastructure Adaptation Plan.
• The Biodiversity Adaptation Plan.
These three sectoral adaptation plans have been completed and submitted to the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment following stakeholder workshops and public consultations.
Building Regulations
Ceisteanna (646)
Jennifer Whitmore
Ceist:646. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on his Department’s publishing the Bill to transpose the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, as committed to in the Climate Action Plan 2025 and due in Quarter 3 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55491/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EU/2024/1275) (EPBD) is the European Union’s main legislative instrument aiming to promote the improvement of the energy performance of buildings. The recast Directive, which was adopted by the European Parliament and Council, came into force in May 2024. The Directive requires transposition of the relevant Articles by 29th May 2026.
Significant work is being undertaken across Government and by the SEAI to determine the impacts of the requirements of the Directive, including those related to minimum energy performance requirements, BER Ratings and the progressive renovation of the residential building stock.
Articles with earlier transposition dates have been transposed in accordance with the Directive. These are Article 17(15) related to subsidies for fossil fuel boilers and Art 13(10)d related to Building Automation and Control systems.
Work is continuing in my Department on the transposition of the Directive
Environmental Policy
Ceisteanna (647)
Jennifer Whitmore
Ceist:647. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on his Department’s development of a sectoral adaptation plan for the biodiversity sector, as committed to in the Climate Action Plan 2025 and due in Quarter 3 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55492/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Sectoral Climate Change Adaptation Plans are required under Ireland’s Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 and the provisions of the 2024 National Adaptation Framework (NAF). Ireland’s second Sectoral Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the Biodiversity Sector (BSAP 2025), was developed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department, in accordance with the Sectoral Planning Guidelines for Climate Change Adaptation, following a six-step approach for the development of effective, action-driven Sectoral Adaptation Plans. Workshops were held with key experts across government departments, in academia and with NGOs to gather views and recommendations. The Plan was open for public consultation from mid-August to mid-September and the final plan was submitted to the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment for publication (DCEE) on 23 September 2025. An announcement regarding publication is expected in the coming weeks.