Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
814. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has issued any direction to local authorities regarding the installation of permeable surfaces such as permeable grass, grid tiles to manage rainwater and reduce flooding. [12550/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is an objective of the National Planning Framework (NPF), which was first published in 2018 and revised in 2025, to enhance water quality and resource management by integrating sustainable water management solutions such as Sustainable Urban Drainage (SUDS) systems, including non-porous surfacing (National Policy Objective 77). The NPF is a high level strategic plan that sits at the top of the planning hierarchy and is implemented at the regional level via Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies and by local authority County and City Development Plans.
Further requirements and guidance in relation to SUDs, at a national level, are contained within the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlement Guidelines (SRDCSGs) which were issued as Ministerial Guidelines under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). Under the provisions of Section 28 of Act of 2000 Planning Authorities are required to have regard to Ministerial Guidelines in performing their functions and to apply any Specific Planning Policy Requirements contained within the Guidelines. Following the commencement Part 3, Chapter 3 (National Planning Statements) of the Planning and Development Act 2024, on 2 October 2025, Section 28 of the Act of 2000 has been repealed. National Planning Statements will, over time, replace Ministerial Guidelines issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). Until such time Ministerial Guidelines are revoked or replaced they will continue to have effect under Section 27 of the Act of 2024.
The SRDCSGs state that in the preparation of local plans, local authorities should promote urban greening and Nature-Based Solutions (including Sustainable Drainage Systems and slow-the-flow initiatives) for the management of urban drainage in all new developments and retrofitting in existing areas. This may include a range of measures, including permeable surfaces such as reinforced grass or permeable paving, that mimic natural hydrology by storing, infiltrating, or evaporating runoff close to its source, rather than relying solely on traditional pipes.
My Department has also published a range of documents that provide further advice and technical guidance to assist local authorities and other Government agencies with the implementation of SUDS, including the ‘Nature-based Solutions to the Management of Rainwater and Surface Water Runoff in Urban Areas and Water Sensitive Urban Design Best Practice Interim Guidance Document’ (2021) and ‘Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets, Advice Note 5 - Road and Street Drainage using Nature Based Solutions’ (with the Department of Transport and Local Authority Waters Programme, 2023).
In May of 2024, my Department also launched a ‘National Strategy for Nature Based Management of Urban Rainwater and Urban Surface Water Discharges’. The Strategy include proposes a range of actions in planning for nature-based solutions, climate adaptation, water services, the public realm, education and funding. A National Implementation Steering group that includes Uisce Éireann, LA Waters, Department of Transport, Department of Environment and Climate Change, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Transport Authority meet quarterly to update progress on the strategy.
