Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 November 2025
20. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the development of a single stage approval process for local authority housing developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65670/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government – Securing Ireland’s Future committed to introducing a new single approval process for all standardised social housing and affordable housing projects.
Delivering Homes, Building Communities, An Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness, has a Priority to deliver an average of 12,000 new social homes per annum from 2025 to 2030. In support of additional social housing delivery the Department will streamline the processes by introducing a new single stage approval for all social housing projects where the project value is less than €200m and will mandate the use of standard house layouts and specifications as part of the new approval process.
On 5 July, Cabinet approved the introduction of a single stage approval process for all for local authority and Approved Housing Body new build social housing up to a value of €200 million.
The new single approval process, which will replace the 4-Stage approval process, is designed to align particular requirements related to the delivery of social housing, providing a more seamless approval process, with a clear and intentional focus on embedding standardisation and value for money.
This new process will cover all social housing new build and major refurbishment projects up to a value of €200 million, funded via the Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP) incorporating regeneration and remedial works schemes, and the Approved Housing Body (AHB) Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS).
The new approval process mandates the use of a standardised design approach, as per my Department’s published Design Manual for Quality Housing and the Employer’s Requirements for Detail Design of Quality Housing, for all new build social housing projects being developed by Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies.
Engagement with Local Authorities and the Housing Delivery Coordination Office in the Local Government Management Agency has been underway since Q2 this year via a Sector Working Group dedicated to the single approval process.
The process is in transition phase at this time and my Department is finalising the necessary guidance notes, templates and documentation that will issue to the sector in the coming weeks, with an expected full rollout of the new process by the end of 2025.
