Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Alan Dillon TD, has announced a significant increase in funding for the planning and local government sectors contained in Budget 2025.

More than €279m is being provided under Budget 2025 to support the Department’s planning programme – an increase of 23% on 2024.

Minister Dillon said: "Under Housing for All we are carrying out a major reform of our planning system so it can support the delivery of housing and infrastructure we will need in the years ahead. Budget 2025 shows the Government is backing this reform with real funding.

"The landmark Planning and Development Bill 2023 – which is the biggest overhaul of our planning system in a generation – will reform planning in this country for the better. The extra funding contained in Budget 2025 will help to make sure our planning system, including An Bord Pleanála and our local planning authorities, has the staff and resources to underpin this transformation."

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Minister Dillon also emphasised that the 2025 planning allocation includes significant extra money for the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF). The Minister pointed out that €186 million will be provided for the URDF in 2025, up from €136 million in 2024, to ensure the continued advancement of more than 400 projects that have successfully applied for funding.

Crucially, the URDF will also be resourced in 2025 to continue tackling long term vacancy and dereliction – supporting our local authorities in bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use right across the country.

Minister Dillon said: "The URDF is transformative for communities across Ireland. It is playing a key role in the regeneration and rejuvenation of our towns and cities throughout the country. The increased URDF investment in Budget 2025 will mean it continues to help breathe new life into our towns and cities – making them even better places to live in, work in, and visit."

Under Budget 2025, the Government has increased funding to the local government sector – with the Local Government Fund set to provide almost €595m in supporting the work of our local authorities.

Announcing this increased funding, Minister Dillon said: "Our local Authorities have a huge impact on our quality of life, and their work can make a big difference in our communities. Budget 2025 shows the Government’s commitment to local government, and its commitment to helping our councils deliver the crucial local services we all rely on.

"Having recently launched mylocalgov.ie, I am particularly pleased that we can continue to support digitisation projects. The multi-million euro Local Government Digital and ICT Strategy will transform local government online services and see 90% of local authority services available online by 2030 – radically changing how people interact with their county and city councils."