Politician(s) lobbied: James Lawless (Minister), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Intent: Update M/FHERIS on Institute activities regarding the recognition of foreign applicants, which sits within the broader objective of ensuring a sufficient supply of suitably qualified planners into the Irish system and also highlighting the need for supports for bodies to deliver these functions.
Methods: Letter
Details by Method
Letter
19 March 2026 letter from IPI responding to 12 February 2026 letter from M/FHERIS. Acknowledged by DFHERIS on 20 March 2026.
Politician(s) lobbied: Paul Hogan (Acting Assistant Secretary), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Intent: Seeking clarification on some provisions of the European Union (Planning and Development) (Renewable Energy) Regulations 2025 and associated circulars
Methods: Email
Details by Method
Email
Correspondence in September 2025 on queries from members regarding some aspects of the regulations and accompanying circulars.
Politician(s) lobbied: Paul Hogan (Acting Assistant Secretary), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Intent: Discuss Institute priorities in a range of areas with Paul Hogan and officials and receive updates from DHLGH on matters of mutual interest.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
Meeting agenda including the following:1. Introductions etc.2. General context and update – Department and IPI respectively3. Priorities and areas of potential cooperation 4. Matters for discussion:Planning legislation, regulations and commencement etc. Planning Resources - inc. CSL, Action PlanePlanning and NPF updateStrategic considerations for planning
Politician(s) lobbied: James Lawless (Minister), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Intent: Inform the Minister of the education and skills requirements of planners in the context of addressing resourcing pressures facing the planning system and the implementation of the Ministerial Action Plan.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
Meeting 9 May with additional follow up information to be provided.
Politician(s) lobbied: Ciara Phelan (Special Adviser), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; John Cummins (Minister of State), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Intent: Introducing the Minister of State to the work of the Institute and the Institute's priorities with regards to forward planning, development management, enforcement and resourcing.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
Meeting in Leinster House on 29 April 2025 with the following agenda:• Introductions• Planning and Development Act and NPFo Exempted Development Regulations• Resourcing• Housing and Infrastructure o National Housing Plan 2025-2030o Forward Planningo Development Managemento Enforcement
Politician(s) lobbied: Paul Hogan (Acting Assistant Secretary), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; James Browne (Minister), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; John McDonald (Special Adviser), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Intent: Introducing the Minister to the work of the Institute and the Institute's priorities with regards to forward planning, development management, enforcement and resourcing.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
Meeting 15th April 2025 in Leinster House discussing the role of planning in housing and infrastructure outlining the Institute's views on development management, forward planning, enforcement and resourcing
Politician(s) lobbied: Paul Hogan (Acting Assistant Secretary), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Intent: Inform any revisions to the exempted development provisions of regulations accompanying the Planning and Development Act 2024.
Methods: Letter
Details by Method
Letter
Letter issued to Paul Hogan and officials. In preparing this submission, the Institute sought comments and observations from its members. The comments and observations came from a wide range of members across allsectors of the profession, and made detailed suggestions, in many instances on an Article by Article and Class by Class basis. These were considered by the Institute’s Policy and Research Committee and by the Institute’s Council.
Politician(s) lobbied: James Lawless (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Placing planners on the critical skills occupations list as they meet the criteria for inclusion on the Critical Skills Occupations List as a highly skilled occupation which is experiencing labour or skill shortages in respect of qualifications, experience or skills and which are required for the proper functioning of the Irish economy.
Methods: MeetingLetter
Details by Method
Meeting
Discussion around the need to include planners on the Critical Skills Occupation List
Letter
Follow up letter providing further detail around the need to include planners on the Critical Skills Occupation List
Politician(s) lobbied: Eoin Ó Broin (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Received presentation on Sinn Féin’s Housing Plan at the request of Deputy Ó Broin.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
Received presentation on Sinn Féin’s Housing Plan.
Politician(s) lobbied: Paul Hogan (Acting Assistant Secretary), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Intent: Discuss Institute priorities in a range of areas with Paul Hogan and officials and receive updates from DHLGH on matters of mutual interest.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
Meeting agendas including the following:1. Introductions etc.2. General context and update – Department and IPI respectively3. Priorities and areas of potential cooperation for 2024-254. Matters for discussion:Planning legislation timeline, regulations and commencement etc. Planning Resources - inc. CSL, Action PlanePlanning and NPF updateStrategic considerations for planning
