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number of issues in Limerick in recent times in relation to Georgian buildings, the owners of which have benefited from the exempted development guidelines. In some cases, they have been fantastic. In other cases, they have been less than fantastic. We have had issues whereby people have … resilience or compliance with EU and national law. This brings me on to a brief point before I conclude about the upcoming exempted development guidelines for residential development. I have a slight concern there about the potential unintended consequences of the proposed changes around, essentially, substandard

thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and Minister. We will deal with the substance of the exempted development regulations when they come to committee on Tuesday of next week. Many of us on this side of the House have long argued for some flexibility in our planning code … considered under law a tenant and have the full protections of the Residential Tenancies Act. Notwithstanding a separate substantive debate on the exempted development regulations will have next week, this is an incredibly retrograde step and one to which we are fundamentally opposed

move: That Dáil Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No. 2) Regulations 2025, a copy of which was laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 9th December

move: That the proposal that Dáil Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No. 2) Regulations 2025, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 9th December, 2025, be referred

move: That the proposal that Dáil Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) Regulations 2025, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 27th November, 2025, be referred to the Joint Committee

move: That Dáil Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) Regulations 2025, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 7th October

move: That the proposal that Dáil Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) Regulations 2025, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 7th October, 2025, be referred to the Joint Committee

already alluded to how he was aware of that. All development proposals require planning permission, unless they are specifically exempted under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, or the supplementary Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended. Where any person is unsure … section 5 of the 2000 Act as to whether their case "is or is not development or is or is not exempted development" within the meaning of the Act. When a person submits a planning application under section 34 of the 2000 Act, irrespective of whether

that may be subject to appeal or judicial review. All development proposals require planning permission unless they are specifically exempted under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, or the supplementary Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended. Where any person is unsure … relevant planning authority as to whether any particular case is or is not a development, or is or is not exempted development, within the meaning of the 2000 Act. When a person submits a planning application, irrespective of whether the proposed development is located

institute a prosecution and updating the references to the increases in the building energy rating required to qualify for an exemption from the rent increase restriction to reflect the new BER scale that came into force in May. They will also include providing that landlords must serve … earlier, and potentially, for related payment procedures. There will also be provision that a detached auxiliary dwelling developed in accordance with exempted development, as per forthcoming amendments to the planning and development regulations, shall not be a tenancy for the purposes of the Residential Tenancies

Department for inclusion in the approved programmes for all 31 local authorities. My Department has also introduced planning and development regulations that provide an exemption from the need to obtain planning permission for the change of use of certain vacant commercial buildings to residential use, including … above-the-shop living. The most recent local authority returns from 2024 show that local authorities have received notifications of 1,457 exempted development proposals to date, with plans put forward that result in the provision of 3,429 new homes nationwide. These exemptions can be combined

general nature, including definitions, citation, commencement and repeals. Part 2 comprises sections 4 to 139, inclusive, and amends the Planning and Development Act 2024, referred to as the Principal Act. Part 2 is split into 18 Chapters, with each Chapter providing amendments to specific Parts … primarily to correct typographical errors and cross references. Section 4 includes a transitional clarification in the definition of “exempted development” to ensure that planning exemptions under the Act of 2000 can continue in force under the Act of 2024, as provided for in section

country and that is what I am focused on as Minister of State. My Department also introduced planning and development regulations that provide an exemption from the need to obtain planning permission for the change of use of certain vacant commercial buildings to residential units, including former … living, as the Deputy referenced. The most recent authority returns from 2023 show that local authorities have received notifications of 1,065 exempted development proposals to date, with plans for the provision of 2,716 new homes nationwide. I will talk about the vacant property refurbishment grant

will be commenced over the remainder of this year, particularly Part 3 relating to the national planning framework, NPF, national planning statements and development plans. Behind the scenes, my Department is preparing new regulations to accompany the 2024 Act and working closely with local authorities and other … preparation for the phased transition to the new legislative framework. A key element of this work is the review of the current exempted development regulations, which is under way. The majority of our current exemptions from the need for planning permission have been in place since

this work begin as soon as possible and I envisage it being completed in tandem with the variation process. With regard to exempted development regulations, we are committed to expanding and improving existing planning exemptions for housing, including subdivision of dwelling and detached modular units

Development Act 2024, publishing draft legislation about short-term letting and the regulation of that sector, bringing forward proposals regarding exempted development and making it easier for people who want to construct developments, particularly on their own land and in their own gardens, and indeed

include the establishment of an Coimisiún Pleanála, the decision to extend planning permissions that could have expired, the decision to make more developments exempted - because in some local authorities about 50% of a planner's time can be taken up on small things like attic conversions

money already for the delivery of social and affordable homes. We are providing more housing options for younger and older people by exempting developments in people's gardens and on their own land. We are expanding the role of the Land Development Agency, meaning the State

overkill and that when Uisce Éireann works with the developer, it can take them over swiftly and efficiently so that developers are not waiting for the ESB or Uisce Éireann but have collaborative partners that want to see them get the job done and get these … will make is around the backyard modular units. I have a fear that whenever the guidelines come out for the updated exempted development guidelines, they will be over-specced and overkill, and people will not have that flexibility to do what they need in their own back

what the benefit of this change is to the local authority in question or, indeed, to the process of material alterations to development plans that the Minister has requested and with respect to the new housing targets and zoning requirements would be very useful. It is interesting … procedure. In the Minister's concluding remarks, it would be useful to know why. Typically, when we deal with, for example, exempted development regulations in planning, there is a motion for it to go to committee, the committee scrutinises it and then unless there is something very

with the Minister for public expenditure and the Minister for climate and transport, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, to ensure we can underpin the development of DART+ South West. We can make progress on that to give the certainty that the council, Deputy Moynihan and the people … Deputy O'Meara spoke about log cabins and modular homes. I hope that the Minister will in February have a list of exempted developments. I understand it has expanded significantly. There have been a lot of submissions from Government Departments and agencies, particularly those with acute issues

That review considered all aspects of the scheme. The findings of this review have been considered in the context of the development of the new housing plan, which will be published shortly. The grant has been and continues to be successful in bringing vacant and derelict properties … extended to include former vacant pubs a couple of years ago. It is the intention to extend those exemptions further through the exempted development. As Deputy O'Connell, in budget 2026, the living city initiative, which is a tax relief, can be claimed and extended to other

airport to facilitate growth. This planning application is currently under consideration by Fingal County Council. As part of the process in place for development at the airport since the enactment of the Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Act 2019, a draft noise-related regulatory decision was published … environment. In consultation with the Minister for housing, where appropriate, I can deem the conditions attached to an order as exempted development but only where they are not separately subject to environmental assessments under EU law. I will publish an order on my Department’s website

reasons we changed the rural planning guidelines this week. It is one of the reasons we are changing the exempted development guidelines. Particularly in a small country, we should not have a different approach to planning from one place versus another above and beyond normal norms that

planning statement, which has replaced the format for guidelines. Remember this same Department had to work on the planning on exempted developments, which was quite a significant piece of work, on the rural housing guidelines, which are imminent, and on short-term lets. There

Minister for Finance the names and organisations that have met with him or his officials on the issue of domestic residential exempted development regulations in the last six months; and the dates on which these meetings occurred and the officials in attendance. [26132/26

Heritage further to the recent public consultation by his Department regarding proposed changes to planning laws and regulations regarding modular homes as exempted development in certain cases, when will these be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23566/26

Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to amend the Exempted Development Regulations; what will be included in these changes; when he expects that the changes will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24288/26

Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will publish submissions received from stakeholders on the upcoming exempted development regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25225/26

names and organisations that have met with him, his political advisors or his Departmental officials on the issue of domestic residential exempted development regulations in the past six months; and the dates on which these meetings occurred and the officials in attendance. [26133/26

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a list of all submissions received by his Department to the review of exempted development regulations. [26135/26

planning (details supplied) and his political advisors or Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage officials on the issue of domestic residential exempted development regulations in the past six months; and the dates on which these meetings occurred and the officials in attendance. [26984/26

Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding his Department's review of the current exempted development regulations; when he expects these changes to come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18564/26

Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the exempted development guidelines for residential development will be brought into force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12666/26

Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current timeline for bicycle storage to become exempted developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9417/26

Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress of exempted development regulations; when the details of what is included in the new regulations will be provided for modular garden units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3059/26

Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the exempted development regulations, given that public consultation closed in August 2025. [3220/26

Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the exempted development regulations on free-standing residential home extensions. [2291/26

asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to conduct an environmental impact assessment in terms of the revised exempted development provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68009/25

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the exempted development regulations on free standing residential home extensions. [65686/25

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the exempted development guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65418/25

Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the regulations providing for exempted development for the conversion of commercial properties to residential accommodation under S.I 75 of 2022, and the extension under S.I No. 378 of 2025, the requirement on local authorities

Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the review of the exempted development regulations and, in particular, the proposals to allow for the construction of log cabins or modular properties in certain circumstances. [60360/25

Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of his Department’s review of the current exempted development regulations; the timeframe for his proposed changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60776/25

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the updated Exempted Development Regulations will be finalised and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59401/25

regarding the planning status, safety certification or long-term use of buildings converted to accommodate persons seeking international protection under the 2023 exempted development regulations; and if he will publish any memoranda or guidance arising from those consultations. [59656/25

Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the proposed change to the exempted development regulations. [53747/25

facilities (details supplied) without planning permission; and whether any monitoring mechanism has been put in place to ensure that the exempted development provisions of S.I. 605 of 2022 and S.I. 376 of 2023 are properly applied in this case.; and if he will make a statement

plans he has to amend the planning regulations in relation to listed buildings to permit solar panels to be erected as exempt development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51506/25

Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on a review of planning regulations in relation to a new and separate exempted development threshold for standalone nutrient storage (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47326/25