I propose to take Questions Nos. 1736, 1743 and 1778 together.
Action 5.9 of Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness committed to reviewing planning legislation to allow the change of use of vacant commercial units in urban areas, including vacant or under-utilised areas over ground-floor premises, into residential units without having to go through the planning process. This proposal is also incorporated in Action 6 of the Action Plan for Rural Development, launched in January 2017.
My Department has drafted the necessary revisions to the planning regulations to give effect to this action and draft exempted development regulations were laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 13 December 2017 in this regard. It is intended that the new regulations, which, as set out in the Planning and Development Act 2000, will require the approval of both Houses, will be made as soon as possible.