Dramatic drop in residential planning permissions in 2024 further evidence that government’s housing plan is in freefall – Eoin Ó Broin TD
12 March 2025
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin TD, has said that the dramatic drop in residential planning permissions in 2024 is further evidence that the government’s housing plan is in freefall.
Deputy Ó Broin was responding to the publication of the CSO planning data for Q4 2024.
Teachta Ó Broin said:
“Today’s CSO data shows a dramatic drop in the number of residential units granted planning permission in 2024 compared to the previous year.
“It shows an annual decrease of more than 21% in the total number of dwelling units approved in 2024 to 32,401. This is down from 41,225 units in 2023, which was a 21% increase on 2022.
“The biggest fall is in the number of apartments granted planning permission which fell by 39% when compared with 2023. Estate homes were also down, while house approvals were down by almost 3%.
“Today’s figures from the CSO are further evidence that the government’s housing plan is in free fall.
“It comes on the back of news that as many as 5,000 social and affordable homes, many of which are apartments, have had their approvals from the Department of Housing delayed for months at the end of 2024. Since then, only a small number of these projects have received formal approval.
“The government’s lack of ambition in social and affordable housing delivery and the excessive bureaucracy imposed on Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies are among the reasons for the deeply concerning planning grant figures.
“The drop in both apartment and scheme house approvals is also a symptom of the viability challenges for private developers, who are struggling with planning delays, high cost of finance, and delayed utility connections.
“Sinn Féin’s alternative housing plan, A Home Of Your Own, set out a wide range of reforms for both public and private sector housing delivery, along with a much more ambitious funding package for councils and AHBs.
“Only the scale of investment and reform set out in our plan will see both the public and private sectors increase and accelerate the delivery of social, affordable, and private for purchase homes to meet demand.”
