Ireland's planning system is from another century builders say

Ireland needs between 33,000 and 36,000 new homes annually for the next two decades. File Picture: Larry Cummins

Homebuilders say they are trying to meet the demands of the 21st century with a 20th-century planning system that is delaying the construction of new homes.

Industry body Irish Homebuilders Association (IHBA) has published a new report on the future delivery of homes identifying a number of areas that they claim are causing backlogs and delays. An electronic planning system instead of paper-based applications, streamlining design guidelines and extra resources for planning authorities are amongst the recommendations from the report.