The draft revised NPF, which can now be accessed online, is the product of a revision process started in June 2023.

Ministers say that the updated NPF, along with the implementation of the Planning and Development Act 2024, will help to accelerate housing delivery in Ireland.

Housing, local government and heritage minister James Browne said: “Ireland has changed dramatically since the National Planning Framework was first drafted in 2018, and this revision reflects those changes — setting out a clear and strategic policy approach.

“We are planning for a significant increase in the capacity to deliver housing across the country to meet our population projections and associated housing requirements.

“Our growing population places greater demands on housing and infrastructure, and we need to plan for the provision of the right number of homes in the right places – including new sustainable communities at brownfield and greenfield locations along existing or planned high capacity public transport corridors.

“This government is committed to delivering housing and crucially, we are also focused on creating the best possible conditions for delivery. The revised NPF provides the conditions we need to have in place to accelerate homebuilding.”

He continued: “Once approved by the Oireachtas, this plan will shape necessary reviews of current regional strategies and local authority development plans to reflect today’s reality and to ensure the zoning of land for residential, employment and a range of other purposes meets our country’s needs.

“Having regard to the need to ensure that current local authority development plans can be updated as quickly as possible to reflect the update housing requirements, I also intend, following completion of the NPF revision process, to provide further clear direction and guidance relating to housing requirements and I fully expect local authorities to translate this revised NPF into their own local plans as speedily as possible.

“Ireland needs a step change in the delivery of housing. With a revised NPF, and the new Planning and Development Act being implemented this year, we are making sure that the vital conditions for the accelerated delivery of new homes is provided for in the planning system.”

John Cummins, minister of state with responsibility for planning, added: “The revised National Planning Framework published today marks another significant step from the government to increase capacity to deliver and accelerate home building across the country. This revised plan reflects the Ireland of today and prepares us for the Ireland of tomorrow.

“The revised NPF and the subsequent guidance that will issue, will give clarity to local authorities on translating the revised housing requirements at a national level to local plan level in order to identify the quantum of zoned land that will be required to increase our housing output.

“Regional strategies and local development plans will be reviewed and updated to ensure they align with the NPF, accurately reflecting housing need, projected jobs growth and renewable energy capacity allocations.

“Revised targets, coupled with sufficient headroom will be key considerations to ensure the appropriate quantum of zoning exists for residential, employment and a range of other purposes.

“The implementation of our new Planning and Development Act 2024 will also be closely aligned with the implementation of this revised plan, with updated regional strategies and new ten-year development plans to reflect the revised NPF.”