Minister Targets Planning Permission Reform to Tackle Housing Crisis
Ireland’s housing emergency is driving unprecedented changes to planning permission rules, with the government fast-tracking emergency laws to accelerate home delivery.
The Minister for Housing has pledged to end the housing crisis within his term, as new emergency legislation is set to bypass standard planning processes for key infrastructure and housing projects. Cabinet has approved the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2025, which will be published and enacted before the end of the year. The reforms are designed to slash delays and streamline the approval of urgently needed homes, particularly in areas facing acute shortages.
Under the new measures, all social housing projects will move through a single approval stage from the third quarter of 2025, eliminating the previous four-stage process that often stalled developments. This change is expected to cut delivery timelines by months or even years, allowing local authorities and developers to respond more quickly to rising homelessness and demand for affordable housing. The government has also signalled a review of planning permission exemptions, aiming to further reduce red tape and speed up housing scheme approval.
Emergency laws will identify projects of national importance, allowing some planning processes to be bypassed. This includes fast-tracking developments that address critical infrastructure needs or deliver large volumes of social and affordable homes. The move comes amid record homelessness figures, with over 15,700 people—including nearly 5,000 children—currently in emergency accommodation. The government’s actions are intended to prevent further increases in homelessness this winter and to address the root causes of housing instability.
The reforms also reflect a broader shift in how emergency housing is delivered. The accommodation model is evolving to meet changing economic circumstances, with a growing number of families and economically vulnerable individuals now seeking support. While Ireland remains committed to ending homelessness by 2030, the reliance on not-for-profit providers and private hotels for emergency housing continues, with funding for accommodation providers reaching €361 million in 2024. The new laws are expected to increase the supply of purpose-built family hubs and supported temporary accommodation, reducing the need for temporary emergency solutions.
These changes are part of a wider package of reforms, including adjustments to rent pressure zones, apartment size guidelines, and VAT rates on apartments. The government is also working on a deal with major banks to provide funding for small and medium developers, aiming to boost construction in rural towns and villages. The reforms are designed to address both the immediate crisis and the long-term structural issues in the housing market, including the impact of material contravention and environmental impact assessments on development timelines.
With the housing crisis deepening, the government’s focus on planning permission reform is seen as a critical step towards delivering more homes, faster. The new laws will allow for quicker An Bord Pleanála decisions and reduce the risk of delays due to flood-risk development or other environmental concerns. The aim is to ensure that every citizen has access to good quality, affordable housing, built to a high standard and in the right place.
- Emergency laws will fast-track planning permission for key housing and infrastructure projects.
- Social housing projects will move through a single approval stage from Q3 2025.
- Reforms include a review of planning permission exemptions and changes to rent pressure zones.
- Government aims to end homelessness by 2030, with increased funding for emergency accommodation.
- New laws will allow for quicker An Bord Pleanála decisions and address material contravention and environmental impact concerns.
Originally reported in on Mon, 10 Nov 2025 09:08:11 +0000. Full story
