Questions

431. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects the proposed national planning statement for the Gaeltacht to be published; whether it is intended to publish a draft for public consultation before it is finalised; how Gaeltacht communities and representative organisations will be consulted during its preparation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. […

432. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures being taken to support the delivery of additional housing in Gaeltacht areas; whether his Department has assessed how the proposed changes to planning policy may affect the availability of housing for people wishing to live in their local Gaeltacht communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50900/26…

455. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether, in the context of any proposals to provide exempted development provisions for detached cabins or modular units within the curtilage of a dwelling house, minimum or proportionate private open space requirements are being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48806/26]

456. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he is considering the introduction of exempted development provisions for detached cabins or modular units already constructed within the curtilage of an owner occupied dwelling house for use as student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48807/26]

457. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he is examining the introduction of exempted development provisions for detached cabins or modular units within the curtilage of an owner occupied dwelling house for use as student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48808/26]

128. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures his Department is taking to ensure that zoned residential land is brought forward for development in a timely manner; the actions being taken to support and challenge local authorities in identifying and activating undeveloped residentially zoned land within their areas; whether targets, reporting requirements or oth…

1112. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects the proposed planning exemption for modular homes and ancillary accommodation units to come into effect; the steps remaining before the necessary regulations can be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43041/26]

1113. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeline for the introduction of the proposed planning exemptions for modular homes; whether any statutory, environmental or legal processes remain outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43042/26]

313. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on any proposed legislation or regulatory changes to allow for the use of cabins or modular units in back gardens for residential purposes; the expected timeline for bringing forward such measures; the conditions under which such units may be permitted, including planning, occupancy and servicing requirements…

705. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether an assessment was undertaken of the practical impact of section 85(1)(c)-(d ) of the Planning and Development Act 2024 on the delivery of grid connections and other long linear infrastructure projects; and if so, to provide the findings of that assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8588/26]

706. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how applicants are expected to demonstrate existing statutory or compulsory purchase powers at planning application stage, given that such powers are typically only conferred after the granting of planning permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8589/26]

707. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he accepts that section 85(1) ) of the Planning and Development Act 2024 has the effect of limiting eligibility to apply for permission to statutory utilities, thereby excluding private developers; and if so, the measures that are proposed to prevent adverse impacts on competition and renewable delivery; and if he will ma…

708. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm the intended commencement date for section 85(1) of the Planning and Development Act 2024; and whether commencement will be deferred pending clarification or amendment of the relevant provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8591/26]

709. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has received proposals from industry to amend section 85(1)(c)-(d ) of the Planning and Development Act 2024 to include applicants who would be eligible to apply for statutory powers following the granting of permission; and if so, the current status of consideration of those proposals; and if he will make …

710. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he accepts that legislative provisions which require certainty of land access or statutory powers prior to the granting of planning permission risk creating legal and delivery deadlock for strategic infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8595/26]

162. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average timeframe for An Coimisiún Pleanála to determine planning applications remitted by the High Court; the number of such cases currently awaiting decision; the proportion refused to date; the measures being taken to reduce delays and improve certainty in these cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5029/2…

496. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans in place to improve the pre-application engagement process for renewable energy projects under the implementation of the RED III directive; if he intends to increase resources or staffing within the National Parks and Wildlife Service, National Monuments Service or other relevant bodies to enable developers to submit mo…

497. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to introduce measures to ensure greater consistency across local authorities in their approach to assessing and issuing certificates of completeness for renewable energy planning applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73520/25]

498. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration is being given to maintaining the current system whereby renewable energy developers may choose to submit their planning applications either to local authorities or to An Coimisiún Pleanála; the rationale for any proposed changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73521/25]

4. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will outline the specific reforms under consideration following his Department’s review of barriers to infrastructure delivery; if these reforms will include changes to procurement processes, planning timelines, or interagency co-ordination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. …

35. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide data on the average time between planning permission being granted and construction commencing for residential developments in Dublin Bay North over the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35794/25]

481. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timelines for the publication of the Gaeltacht planning guidelines; if each Gaeltacht language planning area will be supported to develop its own local housing strategy aligned with these guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34982/25]

527. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the number of housing units currently delayed due to An Bord Pleanála's failure to issue timely decisions on planning applications; if he will outline the specific actions being taken to address these delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25117/25]

528. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will establish an independent oversight mechanism to monitor delays in the planning system, particularly with respect to An Bord Pleanála's decision-making backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25118/25]

529. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider emergency legislative or administrative measures to fast-track housing applications that are stalled due to the planning backlog at An Bord Pleanála; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25119/25]