We analysed over 45,000 planning applications from the last 12 months. The patterns reveal stark differences between Dublin and rural Ireland — and some results that might surprise you.
Dublin Leads in Volume — But Not How You'd Think
Looking at the last 12 months of data, Dublin City Council processes the most applications at 6,169 — more than any other council in Ireland.
Cork County comes second with 4,509, followed closely by Fingal at 4,456. The Dublin region (Dublin City, Fingal, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, and South Dublin combined) accounts for roughly a third of all planning activity.
The Approval Gap Is Stark
Here's the data point that matters most for anyone submitting an application:
Rural counties approve 94-97% of applications. Leitrim leads at 97.1%, with Monaghan, Tipperary, Cavan, and Laois all above 93%.
Dublin tells a different story:
- South Dublin: 69%
- Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown: 62.8%
- Fingal: 36.3%
- Dublin City: 32.3%
That's not a typo. In Dublin City, only 1 in 3 applications gets approved in the last 12 months. Fingal isn't far behind.
Why? Higher scrutiny, denser development patterns, more third-party objections, and stricter enforcement of development plans. If you're planning a Dublin application, budget extra time for potential refusals and appeals.
What's Actually Being Built
The breakdown of development types shows where the market is focused:
- Other/Miscellaneous (22%): Ancillary buildings, site works, and mixed categories
- New Residential (21%): Houses and housing developments
- Extensions (18%): People expanding existing homes
- Demolition (12%): Site clearance for redevelopment
- Retention (11%): Regularising works done without permission
The retention figure is notable — over 5,000 applications in 12 months are for works already completed. That's a lot of "forgiveness rather than permission" in Irish planning.
Seasonal Rhythms Are Real
Monthly submissions follow predictable patterns:
- January dip: Applications drop 30-40% post-Christmas
- Spring surge: April-May sees peak activity as the building season starts
- 2025 running ahead: Year-on-year growth of 15-20% compared to 2024
If you want faster processing, consider submitting in quieter months when planners aren't swamped.
Dublin Councils Are Fastest
Here's a counterintuitive finding — despite low approval rates, Dublin councils process applications quickly:
Dublin City: 34 days average — fastest in the country. South Dublin (40 days) and the other Dublin councils all beat the statutory 8-week deadline.
Regional councils take longer: Galway City (67 days), Cork City (68 days), and Galway County (68 days) are all above the statutory period.
Speed doesn't equal approval, though. Dublin is fast to decide — but more likely to refuse.
What's Growing (and Shrinking)
Comparing 2024 to 2025 by category:
Growing fast:
- Agricultural (+30%): Farm buildings and rural diversification
- New Residential (+10%): Continued housing demand
Declining:
- Telecoms (-19%): 5G infrastructure rollout stabilising
- Signage (-18%): Economic caution?
Key Takeaways
- Location determines outcome: Your approval odds swing 60+ percentage points between rural and Dublin
- Dublin is tough: Expect a third of Dublin City/Fingal applications to be refused
- Speed ≠ approval: Dublin councils are fast but selective
- Market is growing: 2025 applications up 15-20% year-on-year
- Timing matters: January is quiet; April-May is the rush
Data source: 45,052 planning applications from the last 12 months, scraped daily from all 31 Irish local authorities.
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