CIF and Ibec have welcomed the Government’s Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025–2030: An Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness, but stressed that urgent implementation of land, infrastructure and planning reforms will determine its success.

The plan outlines a target of 300,000 new homes by 2030, underpinned by significant investment in enabling infrastructure, planning reform and measures to improve project viability.

The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) said the plan “has the potential to transform housing supply”, but warned that its success hinges on unlocking zoned and serviced land.
Conor O’Connell, CIF Director of Housing and Planning, said: “If we are to achieve our target of 300,000 more homes up to 2030 then the supply of zoned and serviced land with planning permission is critical and must be emphasised.”

He welcomed initiatives such as increased housing targets for local authorities, new apartment design standards, the reduced VAT rate for apartments, extensions to existing planning permissions and increased support for cost rental schemes. O’Connell also pointed to the €1bn Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund and the new €400m equity fund for SMEs as important steps toward removing blockages for builders, alongside major investment commitments for energy and water services.

However, he cautioned that “constant delays and objections” across planning, legal and funding approvals remain the industry’s biggest concern, stating that reforms to Judicial Review and the Planning and Development Act are “critical” to delivery.

Business group Ibec also welcomed the action plan, describing its combination of a strong housing target and direct state investment in infrastructure as a “critical intervention” to address Ireland’s long-standing housing deficit.

Aidan Sweeney, Ibec’s Head of Infrastructure & Environmental Sustainability, said the plan “aligns with what business needs”, particularly its focus on viability, infrastructure and unlocking large-scale urban development. He added: “The key now is relentless implementation. Government must ensure the new Housing Activation Office and planning reforms deliver results on the ground without delay.”

Sweeney emphasised that a holistic mix of housing types and tenures—covering students, young professionals and families—is essential to support a growing and diverse population. The alignment of the plan with the revised National Development Plan and Government’s wider reforms on infrastructure delivery was also welcomed.

Both organisations stressed that while the vision and commitments are strong, the decisive factor will be how quickly enabling infrastructure, planning reforms and land activation measures are delivered.

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