From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
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Today, the government has approved revised housing targets for the period 2025 to 2030, aiming to deliver a total of 303,000 new homes across Ireland. This ambitious plan sets an average of over 50,000 homes per year, with a pathway to achieve 60,000 homes annually in 2030 and thereafter. This milestone decision represents a critical step towards meeting Ireland's growing housing needs, driven by projected population increases, latent and ongoing demand for housing.
The new targets were announced as the government today agreed to progress (and publish in the coming days) a draft schedule of amendments to the First Revision to the National Planning Framework (NPF) arising from the public consultation process undertaken between July and September 2024. This follows an update to the Cabinet provided by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien on the revision, arising from the public consultation undertaken on the draft document.
The government decision on the NPF today provides clarity on significant policy matters, notably the need to plan for, and provide revised housing targets to meet additional population and employment growth over and above the original 2018 NPF projections.
The revised housing targets reflect the latest research and modelling by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), which forecasts substantial population growth over the next decade. The approved targets aim to ensure that housing supply meets both new demand and addresses existing need, creating a sustainable future for housing in Ireland.
To reach the total of 303,000 homes by 2030, an annual increase in housing delivery, starting from 41,000 homes in 2025 and rising incrementally to 60,000 homes by the end of the period has been agreed by Government.
Speaking today, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien emphasised:
“The Revision of the National Planning Framework has been informed by detailed ESRI modelling of our population growth and housing needs both now and into the future. The NPF provides a framework by which we as a country can grow and sustain ourselves. I was delighted to get Cabinet agreement today to progress it to the next step.
“I was also very pleased to get Cabinet agreement for our new housing targets which will see us deliver an annual average of 50,500 homes per year building up to 60,000 in 2030. We’ve always said that we would review the housing targets in light of Census 2022 and that the approach we would take would be evidence based.
“The targets we set will only ever be the floor, not the ceiling, and as has been proven over the two full years of the Housing for All plan, where we can surpass our targets, we will."
Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with responsibility for Local Government and Planning, Alan Dillon added:
“I would like to thank everyone who engaged with the public consultation for the review of the NPF and for their input to the ongoing evolution of our revised planning framework. Today’s decision from Cabinet to agree to progress our most-up-to-date iteration of the NPF cements the progress made on the revision, and in doing so, sets a clear direction of travel, noting that the final version of the Revised NPF will require the approval of Government and the approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas.
“With regards to housing targets, today’s decision signifies a bold and necessary step towards addressing Ireland’s housing needs. Our aim is to ensure that we deliver on the scale required to meet current and growing demand, provide sustainable housing options, and secure a better quality of life for future generations. By basing our targets on sound evidence, we ensure that our actions today align with the needs of tomorrow. These targets show our commitment to building a resilient, future-focused housing system."
Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with responsibility for Heritage, Malcolm Noonan also said:
“I welcome today’s ambitious targets for housebuilding and I believe we are in a very good position to build on the impressive work we have achieved to date regarding the delivery of new homes. At a time when housing and climate action are the most significant challenges facing our society, the NPF revision provides an opportunity for us to reset our approach as we shape the future development of the Country – ensuring that we achieve a balanced, sustainable and environmentally sensitive framework for the Ireland of tomorrow.”
In order to finalise the Revision of the National Planning Framework, Government will in due course be required to approve a final Revised NPF following the conclusion of the environmental assessments, which will include a Strategic Environmental Assessment; Natura Impact Statement and Appropriate Assessment Determination, and a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment.
Following the approval of Government, the final draft will then be submitted to the Houses of the Oireachtas for ultimate approval. Once finalised, the revised National Planning Framework will be incorporated into the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies and the City and County Development Plans, including through updated Housing Supply Targets.
The First Revision of the National Planning Framework (NPF) has been formally underway since Government approved the commencement of the process in June 2023. During that time, significant progress has been made in identifying the specific amendments required to be included in a revised NPF in order to accurately provide an updated planning framework document, which reflects the key priority policy objectives of the government.
The Draft Revised National Planning Framework was published in July 2024 and members of the public were encouraged to share their views by making a submission on the draft as part of the public consultation process. National public consultation on the draft revised NPF ran from 10th July 2024 to 12 September 2024. An information campaign (including broadcast, print digital and social media) also ran to raise awareness of the consultation process and to encourage the public to engage with the draft revision.
A total of 272 submissions were received on the draft and the core thematic areas raised within the majority of submissions related to Balanced Regional Development; Population and Housing Targets; Implementation and Infrastructure Delivery; Compact Growth and Climate and the Environment.
Following today’s government decision, the conclusion of the environmental assessments must now take place including a Strategic Environmental Assessment; Natura Impact Statement and Appropriate Assessment Determination, and a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment.
Following these assessments and further Cabinet approval, a final draft will then be submitted to the Houses of the Oireachtas for their approval. Once finalised, the revised National Planning Framework will be incorporated into the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies and the City and County Development Plans, including through updated Housing Supply Targets.