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Proposed rural planning overhaul aims to reverse decades of decline

Sunday Property Round-Up 12th April 2026 

Sunday Property Round-Up 12th April 2026 

Weekly Irish property market news and insights – for the industry, by the industry

THE CENTRE CANNOT HOLD

This month marks ten years of your weekly Sunday Property Round-Up, 525 consecutive weeks of early Sunday mornings trying to make sense of the issues of the week, impacting the built environment including the growing climate crisis;  the Brexit vote – speculation and then execution of that; COVOD-19 – and what meant for construction sites up and down the country;  outbreak of war in Ukraine – from the the human impacts to construction materials devastation; the recognition of the housing crisis across the EU as a ‘social emergency’; and most recently, chaos in the Middle East.  

And this week’s escalation of a planned one-day protest on fuel prices, to a series of blockades and an ongoing standoff with the State. 

It is difficult to understand if these events were caused by – or led to – the precipitous eroding of the social contract.

This level of civil unrest has been brewing globally for over a decade. In the US, Scott Galloway attributes this to a purposeful transfer of wealth from young [renting generation] to old [homeowning generation]: “The average 70 year old is 72% wealthier than they were 40 years ago, the average 40 year old is 24% less wealthy; and for the first time in our nation’s history, a 30 year old man or woman isn’t as wealthy as their parents were at 30… It creates so much SHAME and RAGE that every opportunistic infection turns into full blown pneumonia…”

Maeve McTaggart, writing in the Irish Independent captured this: ‘How a spark of social media anger ignited a movement that stopped a nation in its tracks’.

Mick Clifford, writing in The Irish Examiner draws an interesting, historic parallel: “Fuel protests at GPO symbolic of how our democracy conceived in 1916 has evolved: Those attending were obviously highly frustrated and of the opinion that long-standing democratic mechanisms have not served their cause. As a result, they invoked their power, through their vehicles, to bring cities and main arteries to a standstill.”

His reference to the origins of Irish democracy reminded me of the following warning from ‘The Second Coming’, a prophetic poem written by W.B. Yeats back in 1919 at the beginning of the Irish War of Independence:

“Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;

Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,”

Earlier this year, in an interview with France 24, EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen captured the housing stakes with uncomfortable clarity:

“I very much hope that decision-makers across the European Union are aware of the severity of this crisis. I think we need a huge wake-up call in Europe. If people don’t have a home – if they cannot afford the most basic need, which is a roof over their head – there is a real risk that they will turn against democracy… This is an obligation for all Member States, for all Mayors…” https://caroltallon.com/the-role-of-the-new-european-bauhaus-in-building-homes-and-sustainable-communities/

*As more than one-third of filling stations run dry, latest news confirms that the O’Connell St. blockade was cleared overnight.

GETTING LOST IN THE NOISE

– House price inflation slows to 4.7% nationwide, as Dublin growth drops below 3% 

– Government moves to fast-track key infrastructure with new legislation: Critical Infrastructure Bill to prioritise energy, transport and water projects across the State

– GALWAY welcomed two major infrastructure projects decisions from An Coimisiún Pleanála with the approval of the N6 Galway Ring Road and, separately, approval for major expansion of Galway Harbour – both essential projects for the wider region

– FALLOUT:  Ireland’s nuclear debate is back, and this time it has ministerial backing, a Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis motion, and a public poll onTheJournal.ie showing 77.9% in favour of at least considering it

📧 All stories are covered in full within this week’s Sunday Property Round-Up on iProperty Radio, powered by Property District – now the largest weekly newsletter BY and FOR Ireland’s real estate and construction industry. If it’s not in your inbox yet, email carol@caroltallon.com to receive a copy.

PROPERTY DISTRICT PRESS OFFICE 

Below are the local and international stories that might be of particular interest: 

FIRST HOME SCHEME: On Newstalk with Anton Savage this week — with mainly couples availing of the government’s shared equity First Home Scheme, do single purchasers need additional supports?  And does this scheme need to be extended to existing homes in order to support homebuyers across the country, where little to no new home developments are being delivered (other than self-builds) — not just in urban and suburban areas?

PRISON DESIGN: Also, with an additional half a billion euro allocated for 1,500 new prison spaces by 2031, do we need to update our prison design and delivery in line with a changing profile of prisoner, and the evolving needs of the prisoner population?

Listen back: https://link.goloudplayer.com/s/pGD9IOegJiOv

  • Mick Clifford, writing in The Irish Examiner draws an interesting, historic parallel: “Fuel protests at GPO symbolic of how our democracy conceived in 1916 has evolved: Those attending were obviously highly frustrated and of the opinion that long-standing democratic mechanisms have not served their cause. As a result, they invoked their power, through their vehicles, to bring cities and main arteries to a standstill.”One of their apparent leaders, John Dallon, repeatedly stated on media they were representing the Irish people. “We are speaking for the people of the island of Ireland,” he told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland. “We have a voice”. This veers close to being ridiculous. The protestors are speaking for themselves… https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-41825015.html
  • Cork County Council records 62% decrease of tenant-in-situ purchases: The scheme was first introduced in March 2024 to assist tenants who had been issued a validated notice of termination, an eviction moratorium had been in place up to this date https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-41822693.html

EU POLICY & RESEARCH IMPACTING HOUSING DELIVERY

  • On the Property Round-Up on iProperty Radio, host Carol Tallon recently spoke with Matthew Baldwin, who – alongside Stefan Moser – leads the European Commission’s Housing Task Force. The discussion explores how the European Commission is responding to the housing affordability crisis affecting Ireland and many other EU member states. Baldwin outlines the rationale behind the Commission’s Affordable Housing Plan and the work of the Housing Task Force, explaining how the EU is seeking to support member states while respecting national responsibility for housing policy. The conversation examines the four pillars of the plan – supply, investment, reforms and support for vulnerable households – and what they could mean for housing delivery across Europe. The discussion also addresses the particular pressures facing Ireland, including rising rents, record homelessness figures and the challenge of scaling up housing supply while maintaining quality and sustainability. This broad-reaching discussion also touches on MMC, regulatory simplification, investment models, vacant housing potential and the role of European collaboration in tackling housing supply constraints.

🎧 https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Ww4h0Xq1YJAmUS62gc0GD?si=ptle9g2_To-mh1ZNMZvRIA

📹 https://youtu.be/zzwJ_bdlGMQ?si=mZy_ZSB9PnDGA0C9

If you missed last week’s round-up, you can catch up here: https://ipropertyradio.com/sunday-property-round-up/ 
As always, you might let me know if I have missed out on any relevant property news by emailing carol@caroltallon.com 

PLACEMAKING: https://placeengage.com

Open public consultations and community engagement, in association with the Public Consultation Institute of Ireland

  • Beautiful – Sustainable – Together: Aligned with Aarhus Convention transparency and New European Bauhaus principles, PLACEengage empowers communities, planners, and developers across Ireland’s public and private sectors to collaborate more effectively — Learn more at www.PLACEengage.com PLACEengage: Better placemaking, together.
  • Uisce Éireann information event in Ballina – Uisce Éireann is inviting communities in North Mayo and South Sligo to an information evening next week to learn more about plans for a major upgrade of the Ballina and Lough Talt Water Supply. Local residents, businesses, and community groups will be able to speak with members of the project team who will be in Glasgow Kennedy House in Ballina next Wednesday, 15 April from 4pm until 8pm. https://www.midwestradio.ie/news/uisce-eireann-information-event-in-ballina/

Rural, Coastal & Islands

CONSTRUCTION: https://breakingground.news 

  • Cork council probing cost of renovating historic ‘alms’ houses built in 1624: Built on Youghal’s North Main Street in 1624, the houses are extremely rare surviving examples of late medieval alms houses in the country https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-41823476.html

Breaking Ground News: Appointments & Construction Careers

  • BGN Construction Careers, your weekly newsletter from Breaking Ground news, keeps you updated on the latest job opportunities, while showcasing the very best employer brands and projects, across Ireland’s construction industry. Whether you are looking for your next role or planning your career path, stay connected with us for new openings, upskilling opportunities and industry news. Get all the latest job 

details straight to your inbox: Sign up https://breakingground.news/sign-up-form/

PODCASTS:

BREAKING GROUND

Ireland’s Planning System Is “Not Planning – It’s Writing Text”: 

“We can’t even agree on the numbers… but what we can agree on is that we have a major challenge.”

Tony Reddy of Reddy Architecture & Urbanism talks about the incoming Urban Development Zones (UDZs) and a fresh approach to plan-led development. He acknowledges reforms underway but cautions that further planning improvement is needed: “More like Europe, and less like Britain”

Concluding: “If we continue as we are, we will fail utterly to meet our targets.”

Watch back:  https://youtu.be/7mlfX2IcuWs?si=udq7WWzSH70k5saJ

CIF Safety Campaign 2026 Podcast 

Recorded on sites across Ireland — from a European HQ in Dublin’s Docklands, to the largest Capex energy project in the State — catch up  the entire 2025 & 2026 series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5hAEpymn6vnhCbgSqe6T8TJTfB9mvD6C&si=ity7U_ANvSSyc0bU

REAL ESTATE: www.irishrealestate.news

Residential 

  • Brendan Courtney on the late Hugh Wallace: ‘Every time I’m driving to a shoot, I talk to him’: As the final episodes of The Great House Revival air, Brendan Courtney reflects on the sudden loss of his friend Hugh Wallace, renovating his own Wicklow home and how turning 50 has shaped his ambition https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/people/arid-41823851.html

*Searching for a new home or investment property in Ireland? Join the iProperty Radio FACEBOOK community of property buyers in Ireland 2026: https://www.facebook.com/groups/IrishPropertyBuyers/ 

Commercial 

Property Round-Up podcast on iProperty Radio 

Addressing mixed messaging around retrofitting 

With the current focus on retrofitting, host recently  Carol Tallon visited KORE Retrofit in Cavan and hears from Managing Director Barry Mc Carron FCIAT about how to create healthy, future-proofed homes, and the state funding available.

Barry discusses Kore’s leadership in whole-house retrofitting, their involvement in SEAI’s traditional homes pilot scheme, and how early engagement can unlock over €100,000 in grants for the right buyers. He also shares insight into the EU-funded Circular Reno project, where Kore is pioneering the use of bio-based materials and offsite retrofit panels to speed up Ireland’s energy upgrade ambitions.

🎧 https://open.spotify.com/episode/4bpb47PEu2iPXJADf4tTuT?si=0t_eVZHAQ_SyC4vND1wo8w 

📹 https://youtu.be/xldCKSOB8AM?si=wcJD1166yS7Lh2iJ 

Housing Insights: The Housing Agency Podcast

This practitioner-led series aims to deepen the public’s understanding of housing in Ireland and highlight the work of The Housing Agency.

Hosted by David Silke (Director of Insights & Operations) and Roslyn Molloy (Head of Policy, Practice & Communications), the podcast features insightful interviews with housing experts.

 

🎙️ Links to all episodes at https://ipropertyradio.com/housing-agency/

PROPTECH, CONSTRUCTION TECH & SMART CITIES: https://prop-tech.ie/

Proptech Ireland is updating the database of 2026 Irish technology providers for the built environment – sign up here: https://prop-tech.ie/register/  and email product or service details to hello@prop-tech.ie

  • Proptech Ireland: Ireland’s CONSTRUCTION and REAL ESTATE ESG technologies resource hub. Confused about how and where to start on your ESG journey? Contact us 👉https://prop-tech.ie

PODCAST: The Proptech Hot Seat on iPropertyRadio.com

NSAI: Modern Methods of Construction Certification 

Martin Searson, Head of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Certification within the National Standard Authority of Ireland (NSAI), takes iProperty Radio through the certification process for construction manufacturers innovating novel building systems for the Irish market. 

Martin shares the latest data around the number of manufacturers on the island of Ireland, and the marked increase in certification applications from outside of Ireland and outside of the EU. 

*Check out the NASI MMC Toolkit https://www.nsai.ie/certification/agrement-certification/modern-methods-of-construction-certification/mmc-toolkit/ 

📽️ Watch now – https://youtu.be/UXhjM0pPbNc?si=J5aX4DudT2pf_W57 

🎧 Listen back – https://open.spotify.com/episode/43GYfHyKprqt9WKEo932R2?si=a54jSgg-R6ipPnZgaTOnyQ 

*Produced by Katie Tallon MPRII, with Hear Me Roar Media on sound

All previous episodes of the Proptech Hot Seat can be found at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5hAEpymn6vnSmFt4WXloS0IQNfUkdw2G&si=qeT3RSVaXBPX3Sxd

Proptech Hot seat is sponsored by Proptech Ireland, the hub for innovators, investors and industry leaders https://prop-tech.ie/ 

Produced by Katie Tallon, with Hear Me Roar Media on sound https://hearmeroarmedia.com 

All Proptech Hot Seat episodes –  https://ipropertyradio.com/proptech-hot-seat/ 

INFRASTRUCTURE, ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT & BIODIVERSITY

⚠️  Ireland’s nuclear debate is back, and this time it has ministerial backing, a Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis motion, and a public poll on TheJournal.ie showing 77.9% in favour of at least considering it.

  • We’ve pulled together a composite analysis of this week’s national conversation, drawing on contributions from:

→ Eamon Ryan, writing in The Irish Times, arguing that renewables and nuclear must be balanced together for energy security and affordability

→ Harry McGee, political correspondent of The Irish Times, writing in the Connaught Tribune, making the case that the debate must be examined from a 2026 perspective, not a 1978 one

→ John Gibbons, writing in the Irish Examiner, arguing, from a long-held pro-nuclear position now revised, that the facts have changed and renewables have won the argument

Against a backdrop of Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, and Minister Jack Chambers all expressed openness to a policy conversation – and MEP Billy Kelleher vowing to table a motion to rescind the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 – the piece examines the legal, historical, and economic dimensions of a debate that has returned with unexpected force. The only settled thing, it seems, is that nothing is settled: https://breakingground.news/irelands-nuclear-conversation-from-carnsore-to-smrs-a-debate-whose-time-has-come/

INTERNATIONAL 

Picture of Carol Tallon

Carol Tallon