Project Ireland 2040

Implementation
Roadmap for the
National Planning
Framework

Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government July 2018

Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework

Contents

1 Legal Status and Project Governance 1

2 Enactment of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016 and alignment of City and County
Development Plans  2

3 Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSESs) 3

a) Transitional Population Projections 4

b) Metropolitan Areas 7

c) Regional Centres – Plan Preparation 9

4 Urban and Rural Regeneration and Development Funds 10

5 The National Regeneration and Development Agency 11

Appendix 1 Current Status of Development Plan Reviews 12

Appendix 2 Transitional Regional and County Population Projections to 2031 13

Appendix 3 Metropolitan Area Population, 2016 15

Appendix 4 Metropolitan Area Maps  17

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 Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework

1 Legal Status and Project

Governance

Legal Status Project Governance

A number of queries have been made to the To ensure effective co-ordination between
Department concerning the legal status of the planning policy and sectoral budgetary plans across
National Planning Framework pending the Government, the NPF, together with the National
enactment of additional provisions specific to the Development Plan (NDP), were launched together
NPF as part of the Planning and Development as Project Ireland 2040.
(Amendment) Bill 2016.
To oversee implementation, a Project Ireland
Under Section 2 of the Planning and Development 2040 Delivery Board has been established,
Act 2000 as amended, which will meet quarterly and consist of senior
representatives of relevant infrastructure and
“‘National Spatial Strategy’ means the investment Departments and is jointly chaired
‘National Spatial Strategy: 2002 – 2020’ by the Secretaries General of the Departments
published by the Government on 28 of Public Expenditure and Reform and Housing,
Planning and Local Government.
November 2002, or any document
published by the Government which The first meeting of the Project Ireland 2040
Delivery Board took place on 1st May 2018, with
amends or replaces that Strategy;” initial priorities identified as follows:
Therefore, the legal position is that the National
improvement of information flows through an
Planning Framework (NPF) was adopted and
enhanced Capital Projects Tracker;
published by the Government on 16th February
2018, as a strategy to replace the National Spatial advancement of the proposed National
Strategy, for the purposes of Section 2 of the Regeneration and Development Agency;
Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended.
This decision was reaffirmed by the Government on establishment of a construction sector group;
29th May 2018, in the context of its consideration and,
of issues in relation to the implementation of the implementation of the four funds provided for in
National Planning Framework. the National Development Plan as a key support
In particular, the NPF is of direct statutory for the achievement of the NPF ‘s objectives.
relevance to (references to the Planning and The Project Board is a key co-ordinating
Development Act 2000 in brackets): mechanism which will require monitoring systems
(i) the preparation of County Development Plans to be put in place. Local Authorities, together
(Section 10 (1A)); with the Department of Housing, Planning and
Local Government, will have a key role to play in
(ii) the preparation of Regional Spatial and contributing to this.
Economic Strategies (Section 23 (1)(a) and (3));
and

(iii) An Bord Pleanála (Sections 37A and 143).

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Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework

2 Enactment of the Planning and

Development (Amendment) Bill 2016
and alignment of City and County
Development Plans
One of the key reasons Government has put in place ii. Temporarily suspended, where commenced and
our National Planning Framework is to shape and co- ongoing and where a draft plan has not been
ordinate planning, economic and spatial development submitted to the members of the Planning Authority
and infrastructure investment at national, regional and under Section 11(5)(a) of the Act, prior to the initial
local levels, through the forthcoming Regional Spatial making of the relevant RSES in each case, until not
and Economic Strategies (RSESs), currently being later than a period of 3 months after the relevant
prepared by the three Regional Assemblies, and City and RSES has been made;
County Development Plans and Local Area Plans.
iii. Rendered consistent with the RSES, either through
Our thirty-one City and County Development Plans (a) a variation of the Development Plan or (b) if
follow a six-year review cycle, meaning that the planning considered more appropriate, a full review, to
process in Ireland benefits from frequently reviewed commence within a maximum period of 6 months
plans. However, due to varying review periods in the after the making of the relevant RSES, where due to
past, every local authority has different Development be reviewed more than 6 months after the RSES is
Plan cycles, which means that co-ordination can be made.
difficult due to the different lifespans applying to
The above provisions would mean that most, if not
different plans in each local authority area.
all City/County Development Plans will be subject to
Moreover, with the ongoing preparation of the RSESs, review during 2019/21, and broadly aligned to address
with completion scheduled for early 2019, it was a six-year period to 2026/27. Appendix 1 indicates
considered that there was a need to put in place a timelines related to Development Plan reviews, subject
mechanism to ensure: to the Bill being enacted and commenced in 2018 and
the RSESs being adopted in early 2019.
a) Local authority Development Plan review processes
underway within the RSES finalisation period could It is expected that all Local Area Plans, including those to
be paused until such time as they could benefit from replace previously extended Town Plans, will be similarly
the latest data and policy contexts from the RSES; brought into alignment during or immediately after the
and 2019-21 review period. In the interim, any amendments
or reviews of Local Area Plans (LAPs), particularly in
b) Recently adopted plans, which ordinarily last for
urban areas, need to clearly reflect the approach and
six years, would be brought forward for review or
direction of the NPF.
variation.
For example, LAPs that relate to whole settlements
Both of the above mechanisms are intended to ensure
should reflect the brownfield/infill emphasis and targets
that there is an efficient and effective process of
set out in the NPF. In advance of the adoption of a
alignment between all the levels of spatial planning in
revised Development Plan, it may be more appropriate
our planning process, from national to regional and to
to extend or amend an existing Local Area Plan using
local. Therefore, additional legislative provisions have
current legislative provision, rather than commence a
been proposed under the Planning and Development
new LAP.
(Amendment) Bill 2016.
Securing the enactment of the Planning and
These include provisions for the initiation of review of
Development (Amendment) Bill 2016 remains a priority
City/County Development Plans to be:
for the Department and is likely to be achieved prior to
i. Deferred on a once-off basis, where due to the Oireachtas Summer recess in July.
commence prior to or within a period of 3 months
after the initial making of the relevant RSES, until
not later than a period of 3 months after the relevant
RSES has been made;

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 Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework

3 Regional Spatial and Economic

Strategies (RSESs)

The Planning and Development Act 2000 makes Steps to Transition

statutory provision for the preparation of Regional
Delivering an effective alignment of plans at
Spatial and Economic Strategies, which are more
national, regional and local levels and shifting away
broadly based policy documents than the Regional
from a business-as-usual scenario towards more
Planning Guidelines (RPGs).
compact growth, will require a period of transition.
The key changes were introduced under the Local Current Regional and City/County Development
Government Reform Act 2014 which envisaged Plan targets are based on 2006 data, and in light of
RSESs co-ordinating not only the physical more recent evidence, are clearly outdated.
planning process, as was the case with RPGs and
At the same time, current Regional and City/
Development Plans, but also the Local Economic
County Development Plans, land use zoning
and Community Plans (LECPs) that have been
objectives, local areas plans and the stock of extant
prepared by local authorities under the 2014
permissions also need to be taken on board, as we
Act. The initial LECPs will be reviewed further
steer towards a more sustainable and compact
to approval of the RSESs, although review of
development approach.
City and County Development Plans should take
precedence. All of this will take time, which is appropriate in the
context of the NPF as a long-term strategy, to be
The two sets of existing Planning and Development
implemented through several Regional Spatial and
(Regional Planning Guidelines) Regulations, from
Economic Strategies, and even more City/County
2003 and 2009, will be revoked and replaced during
Development Plan periods. The NPF itself (page
the coming weeks, in order to update terminology
132) recognises the need for a transitional phase, to
and timelines to reflect publication of the NPF and
inform preparation of the RSESs.
the RSES process.
Specifically, the initial Regional Strategies will set
Throughout the NPF preparation process, the issue
the parameters for City and County Development
of county level population projections has been
Plans to be approved during 2021/22, to cover
frequently raised by local authorities in relation to
the period to 2026/27. Accordingly, a period of
the translation of long-term national projections
transition will operate to 2027.
and targets to local authority plan making level, and
scope for local and regional ambition.

The NPF sets out, on the basis of the best available

evidence of what is likely to happen, how we can
achieve our overall national, regional and local
objectives in a coherent and co-ordinated manner.
Recognising the step change that is required, the
RSES process will address this issue both in the
short-to-medium-term transitional and longer-term
contexts, as follows.

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Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework

3(a) Transitional Population Projections

As highlighted in 2) above, subject to completion This cumulative national growth trajectory is
of the current, initial round of Regional Spatial and currently reflected in land zonings, Local Area Plans
Economic Strategies (RSESs) by 2019, most City and (LAPs) and extant planning permissions nationwide.
County Development Plans (CDPs) will undergo a The differences between what many City and
process of review and updating, by 2020/21. County Development Plans are currently making
provision for and likely outcomes on the ground,
This means that it will be 2026/27 when
based on more realistic and deliverable NPF/NDP
comprehensive assessment of the first full round of
projections, highlight a significant gap that the
City and County Plans to be implemented further
current RSES process must now start to bridge
to the NPF and RSESs, becomes possible. This is
(Figure 2.1).
timely, as 2026 is a Census year and the availability
of Census data during 2026/27 will align with This has given rise to a requirement for a
review of the ten-year National Development Plan transitional set of population projections to inform
(NDP), which runs to 2027. City and County Development Plans for the periods
to 2026 and 2031 in particular. These projections
Moreover, as the proposed NPF legislative
provide for a transitional approach to delivering
provisions set out, the NPF will be subject to
better alignment between the plans at the different
regular cycles of review and if necessary, updating,
levels.
particularly during the post-2021 Census period. It
is furthermore envisaged that the timetable for a
Methodology for Transitional Projections
co-ordinated review of the NPF and RSESs will be
2026-27. The transitional population projections plot a
growth trajectory set approximately mid-way
As the six-year City and County Development Plans
between what is currently being planned for in
approved in 2020/21 will commence review in
statutory Development Plans if projected forward
2025/26, this will require demographic data for the
to 2031, and the more likely evidence based and
period beyond 2026 and the next iteration of RSESs
nationally coherent projected scenario to 2031
will address the period to at least 2031.
and 2040. These ‘adjusted’ transitional figures will
The critical population projection periods are to apply to 2026 and will also inform the period to
2026 and 2031, with a particular emphasis on the 2031.
initial six-year period to 2026, for city and county
Transitional population projections, rounded to
development plans that are to be formulated during
the nearest 500 persons, and expressed as a range
the 2019-20/21 period.
with 20% variation, are included for each Region
and County in Appendix 2, based on the following
Bridging the Gap to NPF/NDP Outcomes principles:-
The timelines set out above mean that a significant
The published NPF/NDP population projections
shift from the current policy assumptions will have
set the national average baseline projection for
to be progressively phased in. Outcomes evident
the period to 2040 (1.1m people over Census
in the Census of Population 2021, will be based on
2016 figures);
City and County Development Plans and Local Area
Plans that were prepared and have largely been The published NPF/NDP national average
implemented, prior to publication of the NPF and baseline includes projections for the Census
RSESs. years 2021, 2026, 2031 and 2036 and related
intercensal periods;
Analysis of current City and County Development
plans has been ongoing throughout the The published NPF/NDP national average
NPF preparation process and subsequently. baseline is 10.75% over 2016 to 2026, 15.3%
Cumulatively, current city and county plans are over 2016 to 2031 and 23% over 2016 to 2040;
based on post-2006 population projections that
The published NPF/NDP national average
provide for a quantum of significantly greater
baseline comprises the aggregate of all
population growth than occurred and that also
individual county projections for each Census
exceed any likely scenario identified as part of the
year and related intercensal period;
NPF/NDP preparation process.

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 Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework

In any individual county where the demographic Cumulatively, this means provision for 50% more
data suggests that population growth may be growth than is required to 2026 has effectively
below the NPF/NDP national average baseline, been accounted for at a national level. It also
provision may be made to enable planning means that there is limited further requirement
for aggregate growth within that county up for ‘headroom’ for population growth to be
to the national average for each Census year incorporated into statutory Development Plans in
and related intercensal period i.e. to 2026 and, most cases. Notwithstanding previous guidance,
subject to review, 2031; this will be reflected in forthcoming updated
Development Plan guidance.
In all individual counties where population
growth is projected to be at or above the NPF/ Providing further headroom in counties where
NDP national average baseline, provision shall provision for population growth has been
be made to enable planning for aggregate significantly adjusted up to the national average,
growth within that county up to that figure for would therefore be inappropriate, to ensure that
each Census year and related intercensal period land zoning is broadly matched to an evidentially
i.e. to 2026 and, subject to review, 2031; grounded assessment of need and co-ordination
in infrastructure investment. Scope for headroom,
All five City Metropolitan areas may make
not exceeding 25%, can be considered to 2026 in
provision for 20% of targeted city and suburbs
those counties where projected population growth
growth for each Census year and related
is projected to be at or above the national average
intercensal period, in addition to projected
baseline (i.e. Cork (City and County), Dublin (all
population growth i.e. to 2026 and, subject to
four local authorities), Galway (City and County),
review, 2031. Appendix 3 provides population
Kildare, Limerick, Louth, Meath, Sligo, Waterford,
figures for each Metropolitan area in 2016;
Westmeath, and Wicklow.
All five cities and their suburbs will continue to
The introduction of significant infill/brownfield
target growth in accordance with the NPF. targets for residential development within existing
Performance, in terms of monitored outcomes settlement ‘footprints’ in the NPF also must be
measured against Development Plan projections, factored in, which reflects a greater desire by
will be subject to ongoing review. Government as well as many key stakeholders, to
move away from an excessive reliance on greenfield
development to meet our development needs
Implications and Safeguards
and encourage more city, town and village centre
Further to paragraph 4.14 of the 2007 renewal. This means that the extent of zonings
Development Plan Guidelines for Planning on peripheral greenfield development sites will
Authorities, planning authorities have generally need to be critically evaluated with regard to their
made provision for 50% more zoned land than compatibility with the renewal and regeneration
is required to meet demand during the six-year targets set out in the NPF.
lifetime of a Development Plan i.e. sufficient
land for a further three years. This is known as This requires projected population growth to be
‘headroom’. planned in accordance with NPF National Policy
Objectives 3a, b and c, which target infill and
The published NPF/NDP national average brownfield development within the existing built
baseline population projection accounts for a 25% footprint of urban settlements. These targets must
‘headroom’ allowance for additional population be reflected in the Core Strategies of City and
growth in every County pro-rata, for each Census County Development Plans (50% in cities and their
year and related intercensal period. The transitional suburbs and 30% elsewhere).
projections based on the methodology described
above and in Appendix 2, add a further 25%, over
and above the population projected to 2026 in the
NPF.

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Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework

It will mean that all Development Plan Core Where certain urban local authority areas include
Strategies must balance the requirement for all of these five categories of housing location, at
different types of housing provision by location, to least three of these settlement types (i.e. i, ii and
include the zoning of land where applicable, from: iii) must also include specific consideration of infill/
brownfield and greenfield capacity.
i. Cities and their suburbs, to
The transitional level of growth to 2026 will
ii. large towns,
provide sufficient scope to enable City and
iii. small towns, County Development Plans to be reviewed, land
zonings to be prioritised and Local Area Ptlans and
iv. settlements of 1,500 people or fewer, and planning permissions to be worked through, while
v. the countryside generally. also allowing for agility and ambition, as well as
monitoring and review, as we move towards full
implementation of the NPF and NDP.

Figure 3.1 Actual, Planned, Projected and Adjusted National Population Growth to 2031

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 Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework

3(b) Metropolitan Areas

Recognising the commitment in the Programme The five Metropolitan Area Strategic Plans (MASPs)
for Partnership Government to strengthening local are to be prepared in tandem with and as part of the
democracy, and proposals articulated throughout Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy process, as an
the NPF consultation process for better and more equivalent, middle tier of the planning hierarchy. The
co-ordinated metropolitan development, Metropolitan MASPs should sit as an integrated element within the
(Metro) Area Strategic Plans (MASPs) are to be RSES, but remain a distinct chapter, set out early in
prepared, utilising existing statutory planning and the strategy document, to ensure that the strategy for
governance structures i.e. the Regional Assemblies each of the cities is suitably visible at the outset.
and will be included within the forthcoming Regional
Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSESs). Metropolitan Area Boundaries
Notwithstanding recent and proposed local The Metropolitan areas are intended to primarily
government reform, the metropolitan areas of the comprise the cities and their immediately adjoining
five cities in Ireland straddle local authority functional suburbs, as well as adjacent and surrounding areas
areas, with metropolitan Dublin covering all or characterised by their development density, proximity
part of seven local authority areas. In addition, the to, and level of integration with, the primary urban
different local authorities must balance very different centre.
competing demands.
Metropolitan area boundaries for the five cities
The multiplicity of plans addressing the specific are included as Appendix 4 and are principally
requirements of individual local authorities makes based on Electoral Division (ED) boundaries, which
co-ordination of the strategic development of the enable parts of different administrative areas to be
five cities particularly challenging. This is at a time included together, and for which key data including
when the importance of the cities as drivers of population, area, density of population, employment
economic growth is widely acknowledged as critical and commuting patterns are detailed in each Census of
to both national and regional development, with cities Population and can therefore be monitored.
competing internationally, to attract talent and secure
The Dublin and Cork Metropolitan areas had already
investment.
been defined outside the NPF or RSES processes and
A key part of the NPF/NDP strategy is to target provided a benchmark and set of principles that were
significant future growth and development in all five of applied to the definition of boundaries for the other
Ireland’s cities. To achieve this will require clear focus three metropolitan areas. The boundaries of the
on a high-level and long-term strategic vision for each, Limerick, Galway and Waterford Metro areas were
in order to identify critical priorities for sequencing defined using a methodology that was developed
and delivery. The MASP is the appropriate vehicle to having regard to similar considerations to those for
address the area that most directly supports the core Dublin and Cork, as well as key Census data.
city area.

Figure 3.2. Summary of Metropolitan Area Populations, 2016

Metropolitan Area Dublin Cork Limerick Galway Waterford

Total Census Metro Population 1,399,525 304,169 132,420 94,075 59,854

Census Metro Urban Population 1,377,588 270,998 111,583 86,922 53,504

Census City & Suburbs Population 1,173,179 208,669 94,192 79,934 53,504

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Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework

Metropolitan Area Plan Content Identification of Strategic City Infrastructure,

to include water, waste, digital infrastructure,
The general approach to the content of the
transport and services that have the capacity to
Metropolitan (Metro) Area Strategic Plans is set
support and deliver the City Vision.
out on pages 134-135 of the NPF and is outlined in
National Policy Objective 67. In general terms, the In identifying and supporting the Strategic Growth
content of each of the MASPs will include: Areas, the broad locations that may be considered
as part of the MASP must be carefully prioritised.
An ambitious but realistic City Vision that sets
This is to ensure their suitability in meeting overall
out how the targets of the National Planning
strategic MASP objectives identified in the RSES but
Framework will be met in accordance with the
also as identified in the NPF. Replication of every
principles of sustainable development. The
site already listed within constituent Development
vision should derive from the city’s purpose and
Plans would not be appropriate. In that regard,
scope of influence, its national and international
strategic location, deliverability, scale, servicing
visibility as well providing clarity for its
capacity and achievement of outcomes within a
future growth, competitiveness agenda and
regional and metro context should be used to assess
development;
strategic site suitability.
The identification of a limited and targeted
As part of the RSES process, it is necessary to ensure
number of Strategic Growth Areas, taking into
that there is a particular complementary focus on
account their potential and deliverability, the
the wider city region immediately beyond the MASP
capacity and proximity of such areas and setting
boundary. In particular, there is a need to tailor
out the location, broad development type and
policies that both relate to the wider influence of
quantum applicable, where this is practicable.
the City, but enable those areas outside the Metro
Strategic Growth Areas will include:
boundary to pursue a greater degree of self-
- City Homes – areas where through their containment, particularly in terms of employment,
location, density and mix of future homes services provision and patterns of commuting,
will enable residents to avail of choice and with the aim of decreasing, rather than increasing
accessibility. dependence on the core metro area.

- Employment Locations – areas where

Metro Area Plan Decision-Making Process
significant job location can be catered
for through infrastructure servicing and Utilising existing statutory planning and governance
proximity to transport interchanges, structures and as an integral part of the RSES
particularly public transport. process, determination of the MASPs in the first
instance will be undertaken by the Regional
- Connected City – areas that build on Assemblies as a whole.
increased accessibility from a national
and international perspective and where The MASPs will be jointly prepared by the relevant
integrated transport projects can deliver regional assembly and local authority technical
a better choice to alleviate congestion on teams and broadly agreed at Executive level. It is
roads and reduce travel times. The MASP expected that there would be significant technical
shall also identify strategic green routes to input from the core city authorities. While they
enable alternative modes of travel and to will ultimately be subject to the overall decision
assist in moving away from current levels of on the RSES by the members of the Regional
car dependency. Assembly, best practice would suggest their detailed
development by the members of the relevant
- Regeneration – identifying sites that have Strategic Planning Area (SPA) before being brought
potential to create vibrancy due to their forward for consideration at overall regional
strategic location, servicing, access with a assembly level.
particular focus on infill sites.

- Living Environment – addressing the quality

of the city’s public realm to include transport
infrastructure, existing and planned
recreation and amenity areas, streetscape
and ease of access. Where it is merited,
consideration may also be given to the
inclusion of a Green Belt policy, to protect
the city and the surrounding hinterland from
inappropriate development.

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 Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework

3(c) Regional Centres – Plan Preparation

Recognising the role of cross-border networks and The prioritisation of goals and objectives over
the need to strengthen Ireland’s urban structure, the plan period ensuring that investment can
the NPF specifically identifies the regional centres be targeted in a manner that can bring wider
of Sligo in the North-West, Athlone in the Midlands benefits to bear on the settlement.
and the Letterkenny-Derry North-West Gateway
An Implementation Plan that sets out targets
Initiative and Drogheda-Dundalk-Newry on the
to support and sequence the plan’s delivery.
Dublin-Belfast corridor as playing an important
This could identify the relevant resource
lead role lead in future growth and development
requirements, stakeholders, timelines, budget
(National Policy Objective 7).
etc., where applicable and appropriate.
In the same way that the NPF requires
The NPF acknowledges that there are several
Metropolitan Area Strategic Plans to be prepared
settlements in Ireland that straddle local authority
for each of the five cities, a strategic plan that
administrative boundaries (National Policy
responds to the lead role of each of the five
Objective 70). In the case of Drogheda (Louth
identified regional centres is also required. These
County Council with Meath County Council)
consolidated plans will address a high-level strategy
and Athlone (Westmeath County Council with
approach to the future of each centre. In that
Roscommon County Council), the preparation of
regard, the following are required for inclusion:
these plans must be jointly and collaboratively
A strategic Vision that consolidates the aims undertaken.
and objectives of the overall plan and sets out
In a similar manner to the MASPs, the plans will
the ambition for the town.
be jointly prepared by the relevant local authority
A profile of the town can be included to present technical teams, but will need to be agreed by
an evidence-based approach and ensure that the relevant area committee(s) of each local
a realistic and tailored plan response can be authority, operating on a collaborative basis,
formulated and delivered. prior to recommendation to the full Council(s) for
determination in each case. The purpose of this is
The identification of strategic needs related to
to enable consensus to be reached on the strategic
infrastructure, employment, public realm and
priorities for these towns in the future. It will
environment as well as housing and transport.
also assist in informing the nature of any future
Capacity for population growth will be indicated
legislative arrangements that may be required to
in the respective Regional Spatial and Economic
address this type of situation.
Strategies for the Regional Drivers. In the case
of those towns where more than one Local
Authority is involved in the preparation of the
plan, the identified strategic needs will relate to
the overall town.

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Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework

4 Urban and Rural Regeneration

and Development Funds

As a key enabler to support the objectives of the The Urban Regeneration and Development Fund
NPF, the Government has approved four funds, with (URDF) will be operated by the Department
a total allocation amounting to €4bn over the 10- of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
year period of the NDP, of which €765m is allocated The purpose of the URDF is to support more
for the next 3 years. All four will be competitive bid- compact and sustainable development, through
based funds, to support innovative, collaborative the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s
projects which would not otherwise happen, in five cities and other large towns, in line with the
relation to Urban Regeneration and Development objectives of the NPF and NDP and is the subject of
(€2bn), Rural Regeneration and Development a separate circular from this Department.
(€1bn) Climate Action (€500m) and Disruptive
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund
Technologies (€500m), each to be overseen by the
(RRDF) will be operated by the Department of Rural
relevant Government Department.
and Community Development. The Rural Fund
A key focus for all four funds will be on will provide an opportunity to make a significant
collaboration between organisations and sectors, and sustainable impact on rural communities,
and on projects that will deliver impactful and strengthen the fabric of rural Ireland, support job
transformational change. It will be a requirement creation in rural areas and thereby address de-
for all successful projects to leverage additional population of our rural communities. The RRDF will
funding, including a significant element of co- follow similar timelines to the URDF and will be the
funding. All four Funds will have an Independent subject of a separate circular from the Department
Advisory Board, to advise the relevant Ministers on of Rural and Community Development.
funding decisions.

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 Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework

5 The National Regeneration and

Development Agency

The Government is currently finalising the Further details on the functions, priorities and
arrangements for the establishment of the national operational arrangements for the agency will be
regeneration and development agency signalled as announced in July.
part of Project Ireland 2040.

The purpose of setting up the proposed agency is

to maintain and enhance capacity for co-ordinating
and developing large, strategically located publicly
owned land banks in securing key objectives of the
NPF, in promoting housing delivery in particular and
enhancing land supply in areas where there may
be pressure to bring on stream development land,
particularly in city and town centres that require
consolidation and aggregation of land to enable
regeneration.

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Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework

Appendix 1

Current Status of Development Plan Reviews (subject to RSES adoption in Q1 2019 and enactment and
commencement of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016)

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 Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework

Appendix 2
Transitional Regional and County
Population Projections to 2031
Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly

Regions and Counties 2016 2026 2031

Mid-East
Kildare 222,500 249,000-254,000 259,000-266,500
Meath 195,000 216,000-221,000 225,500-231,500
Wicklow 142,500 155,000-157,500 160,500-164,000
Louth 129,000 139,000-144,500 144,000-151,500
Subtotal 689,000 759,000-777,000 789,000-813,500

Midlands
Westmeath 89,000 96,500-98,500 100,000-102,500
Laois 84,500 92,500-94,000 95,500-97,500
Offaly 78,000 85,000-86,500 88,000-90,000
Longford 41,000 44,500-45,500 46,000-47,000

Subtotal 292,500 318,500-324,500 329,500-337,000

Dublin
Dublin 1,347,500 1,489,000-1,517,500 1,549,500-1,590,000

Total 2,329,000 2,566,500-2,619,000 2,668,000-2,740,500

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Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework

Northern and Western Regional Assembly

Regions and Counties 2016 2026 2031

North-West
Donegal 159,000 173,500-176,500 179,500-183,500
Sligo 65,500 71,500-72,500 74,000-75,500
Leitrim 32,000 35,000-35,500 36,000-37,000
Subtotal 256,500 280,000-284,500 289,500-296,000

West
Galway 258,000 300,000-308,500 322,000-334,500
Mayo 130,500 142,000-144,500 147,000-150,500
Roscommon 64,500 70,500-71,500 73,000-74,500
Subtotal 453,000 512,500-524,500 542,000-559,500

Mid-Border
Cavan 76,000 83,000-84,500 86,000-88,000
Monaghan 61,500 67,000-68,000 69,000-71,000
Subtotal 137,500 150,000-152,500 155,000-159,000

Total 847,442 942,500-986,500 961,500-1,014,500

Southern Regional Assembly

Regions and Counties 2016 2026 2031

Mid-West
Limerick 195,000 229,000-235,500 246,000-256,500
Clare 119,000 129,500-131,500 134,000-137,000
Tipperary NR 71,000 77,500-79,000 80,500-82,000
Subtotal 385,000 436,000-446,000 460,500-475,500

South-East
Waterford 116,000 132,000-135,000 137,000-144,000
Wexford 149,000 163,000-166,000 169,000-172,500
Kilkenny 99,000 108,000-110,000 112,000-114,500
Tipperary SR 88,500 96,000-98,000 99,500-102,000
Carlow 57,000 62,000-63,000 64,000-65,500
Subtotal 509,500 561,000-572,000 581,500-598,500

South-West
Cork 543,000 623,000-639,000 656,500-684,000
Kerry 147,500 161,000-163,500 166,500-170,500
Subtotal 690,500 784,000-802,500 823,000-854,500

Total 1,585,000 1,781,000-1,820,500 1,865,000-1,928,500

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 Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework

Appendix 3
Metropolitan Area Population, 2016

Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly

Dublin Metropolitan Area Population Area (sq.km) Density persons/sq.km

Dublin City/County Council Areas
Dublin City Council 554,554 116.01 4,780
South Dublin County Council 278,767 221 1,260
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown 218,018 126.08 1,729
Fingal County Council 224,573 207.12 1,084
Sub-total/Average 1,275,912 670.46 1,903

Mid-East County Council Areas

Kildare County Council 62,449 127 490
Meath County Council 11,217 85.84 131
Wicklow County Council 49,947 50.85 982
Sub-total/Average 123,613 264 468

Total/Average 1,399,525 934 1,498

Northern and Western Regional Assembly

Galway Metropolitan Area Population Area (sq.km) Density persons/sq.km

Galway City/County Council Areas
Galway City Council 78,668 49.29 1,596
Galway County Council 15,407 101.85 151

Total/Average 94,075 151 622

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Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework

Southern Regional Assembly

Cork Metropolitan Area Population Area (sq.km) Density persons/sq.km

Cork City/County Council Areas 2016
Cork City Council 125,657 37.81 3,323
Cork County Council 178,512 784.61 228

Total/Average 304,169 822 370

Limerick Metropolitan Area Population Area (sq.km) Density persons/sq.km

Limerick City/County Council Areas
Limerick City Area 58,259 27.93 2,086
Limerick County Area 46,693 186.29 251
Limerick City and County Council 104,952 214.22 490
Clare County Council Area 27,468 172.77 159

Total/Average 132,420 387 342

Waterford Metropolitan Areas Population Area (sq.km) Density persons/sq.km

Waterford City/County Council
Waterford City Area 48,216 38.31 1,259
Waterford County Area 3,399 46.74 73
Waterford City and County Council 51,615 85.05 607
Kilkenny County Council Area 8,239 57.60 143

Totals/Average 59,854 143 420

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 Carrig
Rathcormack Curraglass
Ballynamona Glenville
Ballynamona
Kilshannig Cork Metropolitan Area Kildinan
Dromore Aghern

Electoral Divisions Ballynoe

Gortroe Kilcronat
Knockantota
Ballynaglogh Watergrasshill Kilcor
Carrignavar
Blackpool
Templebodan

Killeagh Clonmult
Gowlane Firmount Ardagh

Greenfort
Kilcullen Dangan

Templenacarriga
Riverstown Knockraha
Mountrivers
Lisgoold Dungourney
Appendix 4

Whitechurch

Ballyspillane
Matehy
Blarney Mogeely
Clonmoyle
Rathcooney
Dripsey

Carrigtohill
Caherlag Midleton Rural
St. Mary's
Magourney
Carrigrohanebeg
Castlemartyr

Cannaway Cork City Boundary Pre-2018 Extension

Aglish Ovens Ightermurragh
Mahon B

Cloyne Garryvoe
Cobh Rural
Ballincollig
Cork City Boundary Post-2018 Extension
Douglas
Ballygroman Lehenagh
Inishkenny

Moviddy
Kilbonane Ballycottin
Metropolitan Area Maps

Rostellan

Ballintemple
Knockavilly Ballygarvan
Dunderrow Carrigaline
Corkbeg Inch

Ballymurphy Liscleary
Templemartin

Brinny Templebreedy

Carrigaline
Templemichael
Cullen
Ballymartle Kilpatrick

Inishannon

Kilbrogan
Ballyfeard
Farranbrien

Leighmoney Kilmonoge

Knockroe
0 Ballymodan 10 Kilometers Kinsale Rural Kinure Ballyfoyle
Nohaval
± Ballinadee © Ordnance Survey Ireland

17
Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework
 Skreen

18
Trim Rural Garristown
Kilbrew Rush
Dublin Metropolitan Area Ballyboghil
Galtrim Killeen Lusk
Ballyconnell Kilmessan Clonmethan
Laracor
Local Authority Administrative Areas
Ratoath
Electoral Divisions Dunshaughlin Swords-lissenhall Donabate
Rathmolyon
Summerhill
Donaghmore
Kilsallaghan

Culmullin

Kilmore
Rahinstown
Gallow
Kinsaley

Dubber
Innfield Dunboyne The Ward Airport
Balgriffin

Rodanstown

Cloncurry

Kilcock Howth
Dunfierth Maynooth
Lucan North
Leixlip
Donadea
Phoenix Park
Drehid
Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework

Celbridge

Balraheen
Timahoe North Straffan

Clondalkin Village
Timahoe South Donaghcumper

Newcastle
Clane

Kilmeage North Robertstown Downings Bodenstown

Oughterard
Saggart
Donore Rathcoole
Kilmeage South
Ballinascorney Tibradden
Kill Glencullen
Naas Rural
Carragh Shankill-Rathmichael
Kilteel Bohernabreena
Rathernan
Naas Urban

Oldconnell Rathmore

Feighcullen
Kilbride Enniskerry
Morristownbiller
Ladytown

Pollardstown
Killashee
Newtown Kilmacanoge

Blessington Powerscourt
Droichead Nua Rural Delgany
Kildare Greystones

Carnalway
Burgage
Ballysax East Kilcoole
0 10 Kilometers Ballymore Eustace Lackan
Kilcullen Calary
Ballysax West Glendalough
± Altidore
Gilltown © Ordnance Survey Ireland
 Liscananaun
Galway Metropolitan Area

Local Authority Administrative Areas

Tullokyne Annaghdown
Lackaghbeg
Electoral Divisions

Claregalway

Lisheenavalla

Moycullen
Carrowbrowne

Galway Rural
Slieveaneena
Carnmore

Ballintemple

Aughrim

Menlough

Castlegar

Ballybrit

Rahoon
Dangan
Mervue
Wellpark Ballybaan
Barna

Shantalla Oranmore
Lough Atalia Renmore
Barna Taylors Hill
Furbogh Stradbally
Murroogh
Shankill-Rathmichael
Claddagh
Salthill

Knocknacarragh

Clarinbridge
Greystones

0 6 Kilometers
Ballynacourty
± Killeely
© Ordnance Survey Ireland

19
Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework
20
Kilseily
Kilkishen Kilkishen
Killone Killaloe
Clareabbey
Limerick Metropolitan Area Lackareagh Ballina
Newmarket

Local Authority Administrative Areas Fahymore

Castlecrine

Tomfinlough Rossroe
Electoral Divisions
Birdhill
Lisheen
O'briensbridge
Cloontra
Urlan
Cloghera

Ballynacally Kilcomenty
Sixmilebridge Mountievers

Kiltenanlea

Ballycannan
Castleconnell
Kilchreest
Drumline
Clenagh Ballyglass
Killeely Newport

Cratloe
Cappavilla
Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework

Abbey A

Killadysert Limerick North Rural

Abbey B
Castle C

Carrig Ballyvarra
Clonkeen
Castletown
Ballynacarriga

Pallaskenry

Iveruss
Limerick South Rural
Ballycummin Ballysimon

Abington

Clarina

Shankill-Rathmichael

Askeaton West Kildimo Patrickswell

Askeaton East Roxborough
Kilcornan

Caherconlish West

Adare North

Lismakeery
Crecora
Ballybricken

Adare South
Nantinan Greystones
Fedamore
Kilpeacon Kilmurry

Croagh
Riddlestown
0 10 Kilometers Dunnaman Garrane Caherelly

± Dromard
© Ordnance Survey Ireland
 Oldcourt

Waterford Metropolitan Area

Tubbrid
Local Authority Administrative Areas Rossinan
Ullid Whitechurch
Ballincrea
Electoral Divisions
Kilcolumb

Pollrone

Dunkitt
Kilmokea

Aglish

Killesk
Rathpatrick

Kilculliheen

Portnascully

Bilberry Ferrybank
Gracedieu

Cleaboy
Ballyhack

Ticor North Park

Ballynakill

Ballynaneashagh Larchville Rathroe

Grange Upper Ballymaclode

Kilmeadan
Faithlegg

Farranshoneen
Killoteran

Grange South
Kilbarry
Shankill-Rathmichael
Ballytruckle

Ballynakill
Reisk
Kilbarry

Woodstown
Pembrokestown Tramore
Greystones

Drumcannon

0 5 Kilometers Kilmacleague
±
Dunhill
Killea © Ordnance Survey Ireland

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Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework
Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework

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