Plans to exempt certain types of building from planning legislation have been discussed by Cabinet this week.

Waterford Fine Gael TD and Junior Housing Minister John Cummins has been working on proposals to allow people to build cabins and modular homes in back gardens without planning permission.

People must retain at least 25 square metres of garden and be set back from boundary walls, and the homes can be up to 45 square metres.

Minister Cummins says it’s simply common sense to remove some developments from the existing planning system.

“These are high quality A-rated homes done in accordance with building regulations,” he said. “I think it’s insulting to describe them as ‘beds in sheds’. These are very different to the prefabs I was in at school.”

The proposals, which are now open for public consultation, aim to reduce pressure on local authority planning departments and increase flexibility for families dealing with housing challenges.

“I’ve been contacted by people with disabilities who want to live independently near family, or older persons looking to right-size. It’s about providing options — not dictating what people must do,” Minister Cummins explained.

He emphasised that the initiative is part of a broader package of reforms: “This is about common sense and practical measures and removing things from the planning process that don’t need to be in it.”

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