Dublin Chamber, Ireland’s leading commerce body with over 1000 business members, proclaimed that for years to come, a minimum of 50% of new residential building schemes should be concentrated in the Greater Dublin Area. The organisation represents a wide array of enterprises in the Greater Dublin Area and is seriously apprehensive about the perpetual inability of new home supplies in Dublin and its broader commuting radius to keep up with demand over the previous twenty years. The group held the volatile planning system, drawn-out setbacks in redeveloping urban brownfield, and the dezoning of land responsible for inflating prices for purchasers and renters throughout Greater Dublin.
Director of public and international affairs, Aebhric McGibney, commented, “To satisfy the burgeoning demand and the requirements of a swiftly growing population in this region, we are convinced that a bare minimum of 50% of all fresh housing schemes for the foreseeable future should be founded in the Greater Dublin Area.” He continued by saying that the assortment of predictions concerning future housing necessities equates to almost 30,000 units per annum. However, in 2023, only 18,306 units started construction in the Greater Dublin Area, a figure way below the required amount.
McGibney expressed satisfaction with the government’s recent planning system overhaul and strategies to increase investment in infrastructure like water, waste water, public transport, and grid capacity to facilitate more house construction. Nevertheless, he urged for the National Planning Framework to be revamped, which forms the basis for the National Development Plan’s investment decisions. In his view, it has fallen short of expectations and is blocking people who desire to reside and work in Dublin. However, he also mentioned the potential for growth present in the current government strategies with regards to enhancing public transit and the efficient implementation of infrastructure.
Despite the potential, complacency, a sluggish planning process, long preparation times, and the diversion of housing investment away from areas where people truly wish to reside pose as challenges. He stressed that failing to cater to Dublin’s housing demand puts Ireland in a precarious position, threatening its attraction as an international investment hub and risking future capital growth.