COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, May 11, 2026

QUESTION NO. 23

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

To ask the Chief Executive to report on the lack of parking in existing and new developments, which is causing much discourse, and to outline how SDCC will address it.

REPLY:

The National Planning Framework (NPF) and the National Development Plan (NDP) place a strong emphasis on compact growth, reduced car dependency, and the transition towards more sustainable modes of transport in line with Climate Action Plan objectives. The South Dublin County Development Plan 2022–2028 reflects these national objectives at a local level. 

National planning policy establishes a clear policy of parking restraint, with national maximum standards set out in Section 28 Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines (2024). These require parking to be minimised, substantially reduced or eliminated in accessible urban locations, with a maximum of 1 space per dwelling in city and urban neighbourhoods, rising to 2 spaces only in peripheral locations.  

The South Dublin County Development Plan 2022–2028 promotes a reduction in car dependency and parking as a demand-control measure, not as a maximum-capacity objective. Residential parking standards in the County Development Plan are framed as maximum permissible standards, aligned with national climate and sustainable transport policy standards. However, the granted car parking provision rates are decided on a case-by-case basis, dependant on location, proximity to essential services such as work, schools, retail and amenities. In addition, consideration is given to the availability of public transport and active travel connectivity at the residential development. The better connected the location, the lower the car parking provision that is provided.  

As part of addressing parking demand while supporting national climate objectives, the Council actively supports the inclusion of car share schemes and bicycle parking within new residential developments, particularly in higher-density and well-connected locations. Car share spaces can reduce the need for private car ownership by providing shared access to vehicles for residents, thereby alleviating pressure for additional parking provision while still meeting mobility needs.
 
Council’s response to parking pressures extends beyond site by site parking provision alone.

South Dublin County Council continues to work closely with the National Transport Authority (NTA) to improve public transport provision across the county to provide alternative travel options.

This includes:

  • The delivery of additional bus services and increased service frequencies on key corridors;  Liffey Valley to City Centre core bus corridor, Tallaght to City Centre core bus corridor, additional orbital bus routes, C, G, W and later D-spine routes. 
  • Ongoing improvements under the Bus Stop Enhancement Programme, which provides upgraded bus stops with improved accessibility, shelters, lighting, seating and real-time passenger information.
The Council places strong emphasis on the integration of new developments with existing and planned active travel infrastructure. In line with the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022–2028, new developments are required to provide safe, direct and attractive connections to:
  • Walking and cycling routes;
  • Greenways and local permeability links;
  • Schools, public transport stops, neighbourhood centres and workplaces.

The Planning and Transport team are pursuing a balanced and sustainable approach to mobility. The team is taking account that some locations are in a transition period, where public transport is not yet in place to a sufficient quality standard. The council takes account of these factors when granting the car parking provision at new developments, within the context of the national planning requirements.