589. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the minimum permitted number of car parking spaces per apartment or housing unit in a development. [45730/26]

Maximum parking rates for new residential developments are addressed at a national level in the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlement Guidelines “the Settlement Guidelines”, issued in 2024 under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).  Section 28 provides that planning authorities and An Coimisiún Pleanála shall have regard to Ministerial Guidelines and shall apply any specific planning policy requirements (SPPRs) of the Guidelines, within the meaning of Section 28 (1C) of the Act of 2000, in the performance of their functions.  Whilst Section 28 of the Act of 2000 has been repealed, all current Ministerial Guidelines continue to have effect under Section 27 of the Act of 2024 until such time as they are replaced by a National Planning Statement.

Specific Planning Policy Requirement (SPPR) 3 of the Settlement Guidelines sets out graduated maximum car parking rates based on proximity to urban centres and sustainable transport options, in order to promote more sustainable travel choices. These range from 1 space per dwelling in central or accessible locations to 2 spaces per dwellings in more peripheral or intermediate locations with higher rates of car dependency. These rates do not include bays assigned for use by a car club, designated short stay on–street Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations or accessible parking spaces.

For developments of 100 residential units or more, the Settlement Guidelines recommend a Mobility Management Plan/ Travel Plan be prepared in support of the proposed parking provision.

Where planning permission is sought for residential development, planning authorities and An Coimisiún Pleanála will need to be satisfied that the necessary and appropriate provision of parking is provided in accordance with the requirements of the Settlement Guidelines.  This approach provides planning authorities with a degree of flexibility so they can operate a plan-led approach and take the circumstances of a plan area or an individual site into account as part of the decision making processes prescribed under the Planning and Development Acts.