Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 March 2023
238. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of planning permissions applied for and refused by county in each of the past four years to date; the way such figures will inform housing policy going forward, with particular reference to giving the local population a chance to live in their local area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12220/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlanning statistics are compiled by each planning authority on an annual basis for collation and publication on my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/service/9e4ee-get-planning-statistics/.
The data collected relates to the total number of applications and decisions for all developments that require planning permission, broken down by year and planning authority. In 2021 almost 9 out of every 10 planning applications made were granted planning permission. Data in respect of 2022 will be published in due course.
In addition, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical office, compiles and makes available detailed quarterly data on planning permissions granted by development type and county, which can be accessed on the CSO website via the following link: www.cso.ie/en/statistics/buildingandconstruction/planningpermissions/
In this regard, it is noteworthy that there has been strong delivery of single new homes in rural areas nationally in recent years, comprising around one in three of all houses (i.e. excluding apartments), completed between Q4 2017 and Q3 2022.
Since 2018, the National Planning Framework (NPF) is the national planning policy document providing overall strategic policy for the future development of Ireland through specific National Policy Objectives (NPOs), including specific NPOs to the guide the overall pattern of development rural areas and small towns in Ireland.
In policy terms, NPO 19 of the NPF aims to ensure that a distinction is made between areas experiencing significant overspill development pressure from urban areas, particularly within the commuter catchment of cities, towns and centres of employment, on the one hand, and other more remote and structurally weaker rural areas where population levels may be low and or declining, on the other. NPO 19 is also aligned with the established approach whereby considerations of social (intrinsic part of the community) or economic (persons working full or part time) need may be applied by planning authorities when considering applications for houses in rural areas under urban influence.
