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Revised framework plans for extra 950,000 people

The Government has backed a revised National Planning Framework (NPF), which will now go to the Houses of the Oireachtas for approval. 

The Government said that the publication of the NPF followed a “comprehensive” revision process that has been underway since June 2023. 

The Department of Housing said that the draft framework addressed changes in population, housing and infrastructure needs, and planning for climate change that had taken place since the framework was published in 2018.

‘Compact development’ 

The framework has been drafted on the basis that Ireland will need to accommodate 950,000 extra people by 2040. 

It sets a target for half of future population and employment growth to be focused in the existing five cities (Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford) and their suburbs. 

The NPF emphasises the need for “compact development” that focuses on reusing previously developed ‘brownfield’ land, building up infill sites that may not have been built on before, and either reusing or redeveloping existing sites and buildings. 

The NPF will provide the basis for the review and updating of regional strategies and local-authority development plans to reflect issues such as updated housing figures, projected jobs growth, and renewable-energy capacity allocations – including through the zoning of land. 

2024 act 

The department says that the implementation of the Planning and Development Act 2024 will be “closely aligned” with the implementation of the revised NPF, with updated regional strategies and new ten-year development plans required to reflect the revised NPF as they are prepared.  

James Browne (Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage) said that the revision reflected the “dramatic” changes that had taken place in Ireland since 2018. 

“We are planning for a significant increase in the capacity to deliver housing across the country to meet our population projections and associated housing requirements,” he stated. 

The minister added that, after the revision process had been completed, he intended to provide “further clear direction and guidance” on housing requirements. 

“I fully expect local authorities to translate this revised NPF into their own local plans as speedily as possible,” he said.