Planning biggest housing barrier – MHC survey
Only 8% of property professionals believe that changes in rent caps will significantly improve the housing market, according to a survey carried out by law firm Mason Hayes & Curran (MHC).
The survey of 400 people was taken at the firm’s 2025 Built Environment Summit in Dublin (10 June).
Almost six in ten respondents (57%) said that rent-cap changes would be ‘somewhat impactful’, while more than one-third (35%) expected little or no impact
Faster decisions
Over half (55%) of respondents pointed to faster planning decisions as the single measure that would most increase rental supply.
Only 15% chose rent-cap reform, while one in five (22%) said that tax relief for landlords would make the biggest difference.
According to MHC, planning emerged again as the biggest barrier to infrastructure delivery in support of new housing.
More than half (51%) of respondents said that the planning system was the main obstacle, while three in ten (30%) pointed to over-regulation and 19% to a lack of public resources.
When asked which type of infrastructure was currently the most critical, half of respondents (50%) selected water services, followed by transport (28%), and electricity (22%).
‘Fundamentals of supply’
Close to six in ten (58%) respondents said they would vote against a constitutional amendment to include a right to housing, while four in ten (42%) said that they would support it.
Vanessa Byrne (MHC partner and co-head of real estate) said that extending rent caps might provide reassurance for tenants, but would not shift the fundamentals of supply.
“Our survey shows clear consensus: planning delays and fragmented infrastructure delivery are the real roadblocks,” she stated.
Deirdre Nagle (MHC partner and head of planning and environment law) moderated a panel on planning and infrastructure at the event.
“We heard clearly that delays aren’t just technical; they’re structural,” she said.
“From planning complexity to fragmented infrastructure co-ordination, Ireland needs a more joined-up approach. Until we streamline planning and resource allocation, we will struggle to meet housing and infrastructure targets,” Nagle added.