I thank the Minister for taking this. I want to raise the growing issue of the lack of car parking spaces in newly built apartment developments, particularly in areas like Tallaght and Citywest. I am not the first to raise this in recent times and I will not be the last. We all know how desperately we need these new developments. We welcome them. I am delighted to see my constituents getting their forever homes. It is brilliant in south Dublin each week to see so many homes being advertised on choice-based lettings and seeing the housing list moving, and we badly need more homes.

However, people are so frustrated that the planning of these developments seems completely out of touch with the reality of everyday life for so many families. A good example of this is Airton Plaza in Tallaght. The apartments are fabulously built to such a high standard in an excellent location but there are just 184 parking spaces for more than 320 apartments. That is roughly half a car parking space per apartment. The problems happening there were predicted. Each time a development came before the council, the majority of the councillors at the time, myself included, flagged that the lack of car parking spaces would be a huge issue. Residents are struggling to park anywhere near their homes. Families are under pressure. Shift workers are stuck because public transport just is not reliable enough for people starting work at 5 or 6 o'clock in the morning or finishing work late. That is the reality.

Our public transport system is not at a level yet where people can fully depend on it. Particularly in areas like Tallaght and Citywest, people still need their cars. They need them for work, childcare, school runs, caring responsibilities and just daily life. People should be able to drive if they choose to. It should not feel like people are punished for owning a car or being designed out of having one. We see the same concerns now across Citywest and other high-density developments: overspill parking, blocked roads, neighbourhood disputes, frustration in communities and huge stress for residents trying to find parking every evening at a time when they should be enjoying their new home.

I commend the other politicians on raising the issue of a lack of car parking. In Tallaght village, there are serious plans to remove on-street car parking that has been there for over 50 years as part of enhancement works. For 50 years residents and businesses have had car parking only for there to be a chance that it will be taken away, while literally less than five minutes around the corner in Airton Plaza there are huge issues because not enough parking is provided. Again, it is predictable how this will turn out - damage to businesses and frustrated residents. I just wonder where the common sense is.

One of the most worrying things I am hearing and witnessing is that people are refusing housing offers because they know there is no realistic parking solution for their family. That is raising alarm bells. I urge the Minister to look again at the current apartment parking standards, especially in suburban areas where public transport infrastructure just is not where it needs to be. We need to start looking at practical solutions as well, whether that is additional parking facilities, shared parking arrangements, park and ride expansion or exploring dedicated parking lots in high-density areas.

If we just keep building developments, which we need so badly, without the supporting infrastructure we are just going to frustrate people and cause them stress.

I thank Senator Costello for raising this important issue. Obviously, it is within the ministerial responsibility of the Minister, Deputy James Browne, and the Minister of State, Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan, but I am very happy to be here today to answer it and to take the opportunity to update Senator Costello and the House on the issue.

At the outset, I absolutely agree with the Senator. It is fine for people who live very close to the place where they work or who have all the facilities around them to say they do not need to use a car, but for people who have to travel distances to get to work, bring their kids to sporting facilities or do their shopping, it is a fact of life that people do need a vehicle and we need to try to facilitate them as much as possible.

I can assure the Senator the Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, and I and the Government recognise the importance of adequate parking provision within new developments. In this regard, parking rates are addressed at a national level in the sustainable residential development and compact settlement guidelines. These guidelines were issued in 2024 under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. As set out in the specific planning policy requirement, SPPR, No. 3 of the settlement guidelines, graduated maximum car parking rates are based on proximity to urban centres and sustainable transport options. These range from one space per dwelling in central or accessible locations to two spaces per dwelling in more peripheral or intermediate locations with higher rates of car dependency. I have listened to what the Senator has had to say about Airton Plaza in Tallaght in respect of that. I cannot give a detail as to where that fits in with regard to the ranges. These rates do not include bays assigned for use by a car club, designated short stay on-street electric vehicle charging stations or accessible parking spaces. These guidelines aim to support the use of public transport, walking and cycling to reduce traffic congestion, lower emissions and improve air quality, contributing to national climate goals. They encourage more sustainable urban development by prioritising accessible and connected communities. The provision of car parking can add a significant cost to developments and this factor is taken into account.

While the settlement guidelines set out the general policy approach, where planning permission is sought for particular residential development proposals, the planning authorities and An Coimisiún Pleanála will need to be satisfied that the necessary and appropriate provision of parking is provided in accordance with the requirements of the settlement guidelines. For developments of 100 residential units or more, the settlement guidelines recommend that a mobility travel plan is prepared in support of the proposed parking arrangements. In areas with strong public transport links, lower parking ratios may be appropriate. However, planning authorities must also ensure that parking provision is sufficient to meet the specific needs of future residents of a proposed development and taking into account the local context. This is a very important part of my reply to the Senator. Each individual circumstance needs to be taken into account. When the planning authorities are granting planning permission they need to ensure there is adequate parking space available there, taking into account that in many instances cars will be the most appropriate, or in some instances the only available mechanism of transport for people.

I thank the Minister. I think there is an awful lot of messing going on with parking. I refer back to the car parking spaces that have been in situ for 50 years in Tallaght village. They want to remove them. Recently up in Marlfield a management company tried to impose parking charges for people who had car parking spaces outside their houses. This is absolutely unacceptable and ridiculous carry on. If there is a call five minutes down the road for additional car parking, there should not be a removal of car parking in that vicinity. I acknowledge the wording of support and encouragement but the word I am feeling is "forced". I have to call it the way I see it. I appreciate the Minister's response and I acknowledge the high standard of housing that is being delivered. The apartments are fabulous but it is a pity that this car parking issue, which was flagged, has happened. I really hope to see a resolution and will fight tooth and nail for it.

One thing I did not respond to earlier was the issue the Senator has just raised at the beginning of her second contribution, which is about removing car parking spaces from our streets. It is important to note that under the local government Acts and the Road Traffic Act, the responsibility for making by-laws rests with local authorities. They are responsible for the control, management and regulation of the on-street parking of vehicles. Obviously local authorities must be very careful about the fact that they do not want to be removing on-street car parking spaces and just making life more unmanageable for people who need cars to come in to shop or to deliver their kids to school and so on.

The Department of Transport provided further guidance within the design manual for urban roads and streets. It outlines a range of parking options as part of a package of traffic-calming measures. This includes parking solutions that, when combined with graduation and maximum standards, will support more efficient parking layouts.

I thank Senator Costello for raising this important issue. I will certainly be passing on to the Minister, Deputy Browne, and to the Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, the issues of concern the Senator has raised.

Before we continue with Commencement matters, I want to welcome the group from St. Mary's in Dunmanway in Cork. You are all very welcome and I hope you are enjoying your day. They are guests of Deputy Holly Cairns. The tradition when you visit the Seanad is that you do not get homework for the rest of the week. Enjoy your trip.

They will be back next week as well so.

I think the Acting Chairman is exceeding his powers there and the Cathaoirleach might have something to say on that.