Four-week public consultation on planning permission exemptions now open
- Published on: 29 July 2025
- Last updated on: 29 July 2025
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne along with departmental colleagues, the Minister of State for Planning, John Cummins and Minister of State for Older People, Kieran O’Donnell, has today (Tuesday 29 July) announced a significant step in the review of the exempted development provisions.
Under these proposed changes, an applicant would no longer need to apply for and attain planning permission for certain types of developments.
Increasing the number of development types from requiring planning permission is aimed at a reduction in smaller applications that may no longer require the need for a full planning permission process. This would free up local authority resources for larger-scale developments, particularly for housing, and additionally would allow homeowners to proceed with small-scale projects more quickly.
Conducted as part of the Implementation Plan for the Planning and Development Act 2024, draft updated exempted development regulations are available to view online as part of a public consultation running from today until 5pm on Tuesday August 26.
The consultation is online here: Public Consultation for Review of Exempted Development.
Under the current review, proposed planning permission exemptions include:
- attic conversions (including rooflights): making it easier for homeowners to expand living space vertically
- heatpumps: to support climate goals
- subdivision of existing dwellings: to enable living-in-situ by older people and other family members
- detached habitable accommodation within the boundary of a primary dwelling: enabling flexible housing for relatives or carers
Speaking about the consultation, Minister Browne said:
“We are committed to exploring all routes to help meet the urgent demand for homes across the country and in our capital city. The work being undertaken regarding exempted developments is one strand of our determination to unblock the planning system, and the work of our planners, so they can focus on and support us to delivery housing at the scale required.
“Being able to easily and simply adapt dwellings to meet changing needs could have a significant impact on people’s lives.
“Following already extensive conversations across our government departments, we are now welcoming public submissions, which will be a vital part of our considerations as the new regulations are drafted in the coming months.
“I strongly encourage people to share their insights and concerns by making a submission over the next four weeks.”
Minister of State for Planning and Local Government, John Cummins said:
“There are a number of practical and common sense measures included in these proposals that will simplify the planning system but will also offer housing options for people.
“If we can use this opportunity to reorganise certain aspects of the planning consent process, by providing reasonable exemptions, this will free-up the volume of applications in the planning systems and enable local authorities to focus on larger projects.
“This consultation provides a great opportunity for people to have their say and make submissions on these important proposals to change the Exempted Development Regulations that have not been substantially updated in 24 years.”
Minister of State for Older People, Kieran O’Donnell added:
“This review of exempted development regulations is a whole of government endeavour that enables the public to provide input based on real life experience. This will provide a valuable input into the drafting of the new exempted planning regulations which can assist in many areas, including the provision of accommodation.
“The proposal to allow for subdivision of dwelling houses would allow for flexible measures to be taken to support continued living in situ by Older People, in familiar surroundings while adapting to changing needs.
“Therefore, I would encourage the public to take the time to make a submission to this comprehensive review, identifying where planning exemptions may be suitable and also looking at appropriate ways to simplify planning regulations when planning permission is not required.”
Following a review of all submissions, updated Exempted Development Regulations will be finalised as quickly as possible.
The public consultation on exempted development is available now for public submissions and will run for four weeks until Tuesday 26 August 2025.
Go to: Public Consultation for Review of Exempted Development.
Notes
Public consultation
Public Consultation for Review of Exempted Development
Implementation Plan for the Planning and Development Act 2024
Implementation Plan for the Planning and Development Act 2024