Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 January 2026
394. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on any planned improvements to current regulations or planning guidelines to make it easier for sports clubs to develop and upgrade their facilities; the actions being taken to address the planning obstacles faced by clubs in Dublin Bay North in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4097/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Planning and Development Act 2000 provides that planning authorities may include objectives in their development plan facilitating the provision and siting of facilities necessary for the community, including open spaces and sports grounds. The local authority development plan is the principal planning policy tool to achieve these objectives at a local level. All current development plans across the country were adopted under the Planning and Development Act 2000, which required planning authorities to set out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of their functional areas.
Part 3, Chapter 5 (Development Plans) of the Planning and Development Act 2024 commenced on 31st December 2025. Sections 44 to 51 of the Act of 2024 require planning authorities to include various strategies and objectives in preparing their development plans made under the 2024 Act, including in relation to the sustainable development of their functional area.
When preparing a development plan, planning authorities were required under the 2000 Act to have regard to any Ministerial Guidelines issued by the Minister under section 28 of that Act, and to apply any specific planning policy requirements (SPPRs) contained within those Guidelines.
Ministerial Guidelines will, over time, be replaced with National Planning Statements (NPSs) issued under the 2024 Act. All Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSES), development plans, planning schemes or planning frameworks must be ‘materially consistent’ with any National Planning Policies and Measures and take ‘due account’ any National Planning Policy Guidance contained within an NPS.
The Development Plans Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2022), which were issued under section 28 of the 2000 Act, require that when making zoning decisions, consideration must be given to the future availability of (or the capacity to provide) supporting local community and amenity services and infrastructure, including recreation and sports facilities.
The Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines (2024), which were issued under section 28 of the 2000 Act, set out that planning authorities should plan for an integrated network of well-designed neighbourhoods that can meet day-to-day needs (including sporting needs) within a 10 to 15-minute walk of all homes. In the case of larger settlements, the residents of less central neighbourhoods should have opportunities to travel by public transport and other sustainable modes such as greenways to access higher order services and amenities at more central and accessible locations.
Facilities to be funded by development contributions schemes made by elected members under section 48 of the 2000 Act, and conditions attached to permissions requiring contributions to be made towards such schemes, may include open spaces, and recreational and community facilities.
In accordance with section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001, local authorities are independent in the performance of their functions. The Office of the Planning Regulator is presently carrying out initial research into sporting facilities and the planning system. As part of this, they are liaising with Sport Ireland and other sporting bodies to examine how local authorities can more effectively plan for the provision of sports and recreational facilities within communities.
Responsibility for Government policy on sport and the funding and functions of Sport Ireland lies with my colleague the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport.
