The Government has approved a comprehensive review of Irish planning legislation, which is says has become overly complicated and difficult to navigate, contributing to significant delays and additional costs in the delivery of housing.

Taoiseach, Micheál Martin said the planning laws need a complete overhaul to meet housing goals.

“Streamlining and simplifying the planning laws will support the accelerated delivery of housing set out under the Housing for All plan,” he said.

“When we published Housing for All earlier in the month, I reiterated my view that housing is the single most urgent and important social issue facing our country at this time and that I am determined that we as a Government get to grips with it,” he said.

“This large-scale planning reform programme, which will bring about fundamental improvements to our planning laws, reflects the approach we are taking overall, with challenging deadlines and a truly cross-Government approach to delivery of Housing for All’s objectives and other major plans.”

The review of our planning laws, will be overseen by the Attorney General and a dedicated working group of professionals with planning law expertise.

Competitiveness

The goal is to improve the Government’s ability to implement major programmes, including the National Development Plan and Housing for All Plan, as well as improve Ireland’s national competitiveness.

Attorney General Paul Gallagher will work closely with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to improve planning laws to deliver the review by September 2022.

Housing for All is to increase the supply of housing to an average of at least 33,000 housing units per year over the next decade, with a mix of social, affordable and private housing for sale and rent.