Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 January 2026
218. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the sites availing of the single stage approval in the Dublin City Council area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4870/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Single Approval Process covers social housing new build projects up to €200 million and funded through the Department’s Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP) (for local authorities) and Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) (for Approved Housing Bodies).
From January 2026, all new proposals will progress under the Single Approval Process. Projects at an advanced stage within the pre-construction approval process will see their project through to completion under the Four-Stage Approval Process. Local authorities have flexibility to proceed to completion within the existing Four-Stage process provided the project can be advanced in a reasonable timeframe. All projects will ultimately transitioned to the Single Approval Process if they have not proceeded to pre tender for construction by January 2027.
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.
My Department issued Circular Housing 01/2026 to all local authorities in the beginning of January introducing the Single Approval Process. Regional workshops will be arranged in the near future to assist in the transition.
