Over the summer, Government published the Draft First Revision of the National Planning Framework (NPF) for public consultation. While population projects have been updated, Dublin Chamber believes that the current framework continues to underinvest in the Greater Dubin Area (GDA), placing the region at risk. In our submission this month, Dublin Chamber reaffirmed its pro-growth position, advocating for a more strategic allocation of national resources to areas where the population and workforce are most concentrated – namely, the GDA.

While members are broadly supportive of the NPF and its goal to foster regional balance, as well as urban and high-density development, the Draft First Revision remains restrictive regarding the sustainable growth of County Dublin and its surrounding commuter belt. The GDA is currently home to four out of every ten people in Ireland and accounts for half of the country’s GDP, as well as just under two thirds (61%) of total revenue for the Irish Government from VAT, Income and Capital Gains Tax. Additionally, County Dublin is home to approximately one million of Ireland’s 2.7 million workforce, with 160,000 individuals commuting daily from the surrounding counties.

Despite contributing significantly to the national economy, the GDA has not received its appropriate share of capital investment relative to its output. This lack of investment will further exacerbate Dublin’s existing challenges in housing, transport, energy security and water infrastructure, amongst others. While fostering balanced growth across Ireland’s five cities is a national priority, it is imperative that Dublin, the country’s only international city of scale, does not lose its competitive foothold in Europe due to underfunding.

Under the revised NPF, housing supply targets for the GDA remain insufficient for the region’s projected growth. As seen with the previous iteration of the NPF, targets tend to act as ceilings at local government level rather than minimum requirements, resulting in countless developments on suitable zoned land – often near public transport routes – being denied. To meet pent-up demand in the region, targets need to more ambitious and treated as minimum requirements. Dublin Chamber therefore calls for at least half of all homes under the revised NPF to be delivered in Dublin and its functional urban area.

The previous framework also failed to provide sufficient capital infrastructure to deliver key projects in major areas of growth. These projects include Uisce Eireann’s Eastern and Midlands Water Supply Project and the Greater Dublin Drainage Scheme, a series of projects in the GDA transport development plan such as Metrolink, Dart+ and Luas extensions, as well as Eirgrid’s Powering Up Dublin initiative. A firm commitment to completing these essential projects and ensuring their earliest possible delivery under the revised NPF is crucial to reduce capacity constraints, support the growing population and accelerate the shift to a more sustainable future. Timelines for all projects outlined in the National Development Plan (NDP) should be prepared, made publicly available and adhered to, with funding allocated appropriately to avoid unnecessary delays.

With our submission on the Draft First Revision now made, and as we edge closer to a General Election, Dublin Chamber will continue to advocate for critical investment in housing, transport infrastructure, water and wastewater systems, and energy. These key enablers are essential for Dublin to maintain its position as a vibrant, diverse and competitive business hub in Europe.

Dublin Chamber’s latest submission on the Draft First Revision of the NPF can be read in full here.