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Planning & development

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12 items

Part of
Housing
Enacted

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2026

Aiming to smooth the switch to Ireland’s new planning system, this measure updates how development plans, regional strategies and local area plans are made and timed, including a move to 10-year city and county plans and clearer rules for key towns. It also speeds up planning appeals and judicial reviews, makes it easier to progress major infrastructure and apartment projects, and tidies up environmental assessment rules and other technical issues. Separately, it raises the Housing Finance Agency’s borrowing limit from €13.5 billion to €15 billion so it can support more housing finance.
Dáil

Community Development Projects

The Minister directed the Deputy to departmental website tables detailing scheme funding approved for each local authority over the past decade.
Dáil

Departmental Priorities

The Minister outlined CLÁR, Town and Village Renewal and LEADER funding for community gardens and allotments, noting applications are closed and calls are planned.
Dáil

Education and Training Provision

Údarás na Gaeltachta is assessing tenders for a planned state-of-the-art multipurpose educational facility; details remain confidential to protect the process.
Enacted

Development (Strategic Gas Reserve) Bill 2026

The legislation would create a special fast-track process for a strategic gas reserve near Cahiracon, Co. Clare, so the Minister can approve it directly to help protect Ireland’s energy supply in an emergency. It would set out public consultation, environmental checks, and a decision process with the planning rules normally used for major projects set aside for this one project, while still requiring environmental assessment and allowing court challenges. It matters because it is meant to speed up a potentially important energy-security project, but it also raises the stakes for how environmental concerns and public input are handled.
Enacted

Dublin Airport (Passenger Capacity) Bill 2026

The bill would give the Transport Minister power to lift or change the passenger limit at Dublin Airport if it is judged to be harming the economy, air links or Ireland’s reputation, while still requiring environmental checks first. It lets daa ask for that change, requires An Coimisiún Pleanála to assess possible impacts on the environment and protected habitats, and allows public submissions before any order is made. It also blocks future local planning bodies from reimposing a passenger cap, while keeping noise-related flight limits and related planning protections separate.
Dáil

Schools Building Projects

St. John Bosco junior and senior boys’ schools and Mary, Help of Christians girls’ school’s long-delayed campus redevelopment remains under Department review, with co-education survey results prompting further engagement and the project to be considered in NDP prioritisation.
Dáil

Luas extension for Dunsink

Deputy O'Gorman argued that a Luas green line extension is essential to support planned housing at Dunsink. The Tánaiste said he would raise the case with the Transport Minister and look at possible capital funding routes.
Seanad

Bessborough site

Senator Harmon urged action on Bessborough in Cork, including possible negotiation, compulsory purchase, publication of burial records and an inquest. Senators Higgins and O'Reilly voiced support.
Seanad

LNG Bill guillotine and childcare

Senator Higgins criticised the guillotining of the LNG Bill, arguing it should not be rushed and should receive proper scrutiny. She then raised childcare, citing an early years affordability roadmap from SIPTU and the need for quality jobs and better services.
Seanad

Accommodation payment and housing

Senator Andrews proposed an amendment on winding down the accommodation recognition payment scheme, then the exchange broadened into a lengthy row with Senator Fitzpatrick over housing delivery, Glass Bottle, affordable housing and homelessness. The Leas-Chathaoirleach repeatedly intervened on interruptions and speaking time, and the item ended with Andrews confirming the amendment details and a final summer good wish.
Current

Planning and Development (Material Interest) Bill 2026

The bill would stop planning objections and appeals from being used by people who have no real connection to a proposed development, so only those with a material interest — plus certain public authorities — could make them. It also protects personal information submitted just to prove that interest, so it would not be made public. Its aim is to reduce delays and let planning decisions move ahead more quickly for the people and communities who stand to benefit.