Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 November 2023
120. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a progress update on the planning measures he introduced two years ago to increase home ownership and restrict the practice of the bulk purchasing of homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48955/23]
View answerIn May 2021, guidelines were issued to planning authorities advising that conditions should be imposed on planning permissions to prevent multiple housing and duplex units being sold to a single buyer. Under this measure, all houses and duplexes would have to be made available to sale and for first occupation by separate, individual households for a period after completion of the unit.
A distinction is made in the case of mixed developments including apartments, in that the provision only applies to the houses and duplex units.
If after a period of two years the local authority is satisfied that despite reasonable efforts, a market has not emerged, the condition will lapse.
Between when the guidelines were introduced in May 2021 and the end of May 2023, a combined total of 31,004 residential units had received planning permission with conditions restricting the bulk buying or multiple sales to a single purchaser (see table below for breakdown by decision making authority).
The guidelines are part of a range of measures designed to boost home ownership, which includes a 10% stamp duty levy on the cumulative purchase of 10 or more residential houses in a 12-month period, and an owner-occupier guarantee in housing strategies for each local authority.
Breakdown per LA/ABP of units with condition attached, as of 26 May 2023:
|
Planning authority |
No. of units |
Planning authority |
No. of units |
|
Carlow County Council |
5 |
South Dublin County Council |
856 |
|
Cavan County Council |
148 |
Tipperary County Council |
478 |
|
Clare County Council |
409 |
Waterford City and County Council |
1374 |
|
Cork County Council |
1363 |
Westmeath County Council |
871 |
|
Cork City Council |
611 |
Wexford County Council |
918 |
|
Donegal County Council |
60 |
Wicklow County Council |
1294 |
|
Dublin City Council |
157 |
Meath County Council |
938 |
|
Dun Laoghaire / Rathdown Council |
655 |
Monaghan County Council |
60 |
|
Fingal County Council |
2521 |
Offaly County Council |
281 |
|
Galway County Council |
188 |
Roscommon County Council |
0 |
|
Galway City Council |
368 |
Sligo County Council |
365 |
|
Kerry County Council |
568 |
Limerick City & County Council |
115 |
|
Kildare County Council |
1678 |
Longford County Council |
0 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
253 |
Louth County Council |
594 |
|
Laois County Council |
476 |
Mayo County Council |
486 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
21 |
An Bord Pleanála (SHDs) |
12,893 |
|
Combined Total |
31,004 |
