Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2026
381. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the development of national planning statements for critical infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40392/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government (2025) has emphasised the delivery of essential infrastructure as a key driver in attracting and retaining investment in Ireland, growing our economy, fostering regional development, delivering on our housing targets and achieving our ambitious climate goals.
In April 2025, Government agreed a set of key actions focused on accelerating infrastructure delivery, including the review of the National Development Plan, emphasising the Programme for Government’s prioritisation of increased investment in growth-enhancing infrastructure, such as energy grid capacity, water supply, transport connectivity and health digitalisation; the establishment of a new Infrastructure Division within the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation; and the establishment of the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce.
The Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce Report and Plan was published in December 2025, setting out a series of actions under four pillars to address infrastructure delivery. Thirty specific, time-bound measures have been designed to remove barriers. These actions represent a transformative approach to streamlining development processes and significantly reducing delivery timelines. The Accelerating Infrastructure report and action plan requires that a National Planning Statement (NPS) is developed and published.
The Revised National Planning Framework (NPF) was finalised and approved by Government and the Oireachtas in April 2025. The NPF Revision process gave rise to consideration of implementation to date, and the potential need for further support for the implementation of the NPF strategy. In particular, the process highlighted the need to give effect to the efficient coordination and delivery of enabling infrastructure and services.
Facilitating the delivery of infrastructure to support the development of housing and other necessary development is a central priority for my Department. My Department is engaged in the process of developing an NPS to set out clear policy objectives to assist and focus the planning system in supporting the appropriate development of critical infrastructure.
Furthermore, my Department is engaged with other relevant departments in scoping the drafting of the NPS and it is envisaged that there will be liaison with key infrastructure providers and relevant Government Departments, in addition to other key stakeholders, to inform the development and practical implementation of the NPS.
Part 3, Chapter 3 (sections 25-27) of the new Planning and Development Act 2024 provides for the creation of National Planning Statements (NPSs). These Statements allow the Government to clearly articulate its priorities on matters of national spatial and sectoral significance to planning authorities.
The purpose of these statements is to provide a clear and consistent framework within which regional assemblies, local authorities, An Coimisiún Pleanála and other prescribed bodies must operate. This, in turn, will ensure that the decisions of these authorities and bodies are aligned with the overarching national policy objectives as set out in the National Planning Framework. By setting out clear, unambiguous national policy objectives for the development of critical infrastructure, an NPS will build on the clear policy support provided by the Revised National Planning Framework (April 2025) and help to promote consistency, transparency and accountability in decision-making across all tiers of the planning system. This will in turn provide utilities and other investors with the clarity and certainty needed to guide investment and decision making.
In this regard it is envisaged that, in line with the timeline outlined in the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce Report and Plan, that by Q3 2026 a draft NPS will be prepared with a view towards finalising the NPS in Q1 2027.
