Detached cabin homes in back gardens to be exempt from planning  

Planning minister John Cummins is seeking to change these exemptions that would remove the requirement for the extension to be attached to the main property.

New planning minister John Cummins is pursuing changes to provide exemptions for detached cabin or modular-style structures at the back of properties.

Currently, planning exemptions are in place for a 40sq m extension that is attached to a property.

Mr Cummins is seeking to change these exemptions that would remove the requirement for the extension to be attached to the main property.

This has been floated as a possible housing option that would allow younger and older generations to live in their home communities.

Mr Cummins has met with officials in recent days to examine how certain types of exempted developments can be expedited under the context of the new Planning and Development Bill, which was passed by the previous Dáil.

“The minister has made it clear that there needs to be planning exemptions, which enable intergenerational movement between the main dwelling house and the smaller home, which would be situated to the rear of the property,” a government source said.

“This would allow for a younger person to live independently of the family home in the short term and will give the option for their parents, in time, to right-size within their own community while maintaining the support of their family in close proximity.”

It comes as Housing Minister James Browne is reviewing grant payments to refurbish vacant homes in a bid to entice young couples and families to avail of the scheme. The potential plans are among a raft of changes to housing policy being examined by the Government. 

The Croí Cónaithe scheme, set up in 2022, provides up to €80,000 in funding to bring derelict properties back into use.

Mr Browne is concerned the grant, which only sees the funds paid out once all works are carried out and paid for, is blocking many from accessing the supports.

He has asked that the grant be reviewed and is looking to introduce stage payments while the works are being undertaken. 

There is a concern the majority of those taking advantage of the grant buy disused properties to rent.

Mr Browne is eager to entice first-time buyers and young couples to avail of the scheme to transform them into family homes.

Housing Minister James Browne is concerned that the structure of vacant homes grant — which only sees funds paid out after all work is carried out and paid for — deters many from accessing the supports. Picture: iStock

Call for viable business model 

Meanwhile, property developer Michael O’Flynn said the construction sector does not want tax breaks but rather “a viable business” model. 

While Fine Gael has ruled out any reintroduction of Celtic Tiger-style Section 23 tax breaks, the coalition has indicated it is open to other measures — especially around brownfield sites previously used for industrial or commercial purposes.

Questioned in the Dáil on mooted tax incentives, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that “everything has to be considered to enable us to get brownfield sites developed — in particular in the cities”.

Mr O’Flynn agreed there was not enough zoned land that is “serviced or serviceable”, and said the current planning system “isn’t functioning properly”.

“I don’t want tax breaks — and I want to make that clear — I just want a business that’s viable, that we can go to a bank, we can fund it, we can make a profit.”