What is really at the heart of Ireland’s housing crisis? 

Dr Lorcan Sirr joins the Planners Podcast to challenge myths, question quick fixes, and explain why planning is more than just regulations, it’s about building quality communities that work for everyone. 

From the pitfalls of modular homes to the realities of apartment living, Lorcan pulls no punches as he unpacks the policies, politics, and practicalities shaping Ireland’s homes today. 

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• Why tearing up the planning rulebook won’t fix Ireland’s housing crisis but what might
• The real story behind modular homes—are they a solution or just a sign we’re out of ideas?
• Are Irish people truly allergic to apartment living? Lorcan busts some long-standing housing myths
• Who wins with build-to-rent—and who gets left behind?
• Is Dublin really broken? What’s gone wrong, what’s gotten better, and what no one wants to talk about

GUEST DETAILS

Lorcan Sirr is an academic with over 20 years’ teaching and research experience. As a senior lecturer his areas of expertise include housing, planning and development, research methods and policy evaluation and he is also Visiting Professor of Housing in the Faculty of Law in the Universitat Rovira I Virgilii, Tarragona, Spain and at the University of Galway. Lorcan was previously the Head of the Futures Academy and Faculty Head of Research. 

Lorcan has taught students from certificate to PhD level and has supervised over 50 MSc theses and several PhDs. His lectures, workshops and projects are contemporaneous in nature, dealing with relevant real-world issues in property, housing, planning and research. 

Lorcan is a board member of the Irish Refugee Council and Fire Station Artists’ Studios. He is also a former Sunday Times columnist and still writes for many publications, including The Irish Times and Irish Independent, as well as being author of various books on housing.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorcansirr/

 QUOTES

If you want some degree of quality in your housing, then planning is central to the delivery of housing…- Dr Lorcan Sirr

You could deliver housing all day long with no planning system at all… but would you want to live in it? – Dr Lorcan Sirr

So, at a higher level, I think ideas like this are, you know, simplistic nonsense in a way. What’s worrying is the political acceptance and how much traction that story got. – – Dr Lorcan Sirr

My first house that I ever bought was an apartment, and I’ve lived in apartments all over Europe. There’s no problem, in theory, with living in apartments. But we’ve shot ourselves in the foot in a couple of ways. – Dr Lorcan Sirr

The only people who know how much it costs to build an apartment are the people who are building apartments—and they’re not going to tell you. – Dr Lorcan Sirr

The idea that we would allow people to build anything they want in the back gardens as homes is kind of nonsense… To provide services, you need to know who’s living where. – Dr Lorcan Sirr

PODCAST HOST DETAILS

Dr. Sean O’Leary MIPI is a highly respected Senior Planner at the Irish Planning Institute (IPI) and a key voice in the field of Irish planning. 

With extensive experience and a deep understanding of planning policy and practice, Dr. O’Leary brings a wealth of knowledge to “The Planners’ Podcast.” 

His insights are invaluable for professionals and enthusiasts alike seeking to navigate the complexities of urban and rural development in Ireland.

As a member of the Irish Planning Institute (MIPI), Dr. O’Leary demonstrates a commitment to the highest standards of the planning profession. 

Through his work with the IPI and his engaging contributions to the podcast, he helps to demystify planning concepts, explore current challenges, and highlight innovative solutions. His authoritative presence significantly enhances the podcast’s value, making it an essential resource for anyone interested in the future of planning in Ireland.

Find out more: https://ipi.ie/

ABOUT THE IRISH PLANNING INSTITUTE

The Irish Planning Institute (IPI) is the all-island professional body for planners in Ireland, dedicated to advancing the field of physical, spatial, and environmental planning for the common good. Established in 1975, the IPI plays a vital role in shaping sustainable development across both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Through its diverse membership, which includes professionals from public, private, and academic sectors, the IPI offers a unified voice on critical planning issues.

As the publisher of “The Planners’ Podcast,” the Irish Planning Institute demonstrates its commitment to fostering informed discussion and professional development. The IPI actively works to raise planning standards, articulate expert opinion, contribute to planning education, and promote environmental awareness. By providing a platform for leading voices like Dr. Sean O’Leary MIPI, the IPI ensures that its podcast remains a leading resource for insights into Irish planning policy, challenges, and future directions.

Find out more:

https://ipi.ie/

The Planners Podcast is produced for IPI by dustpod.io

KEYWORDS

#HousingCrisis #UrbanPlanning #IrishHousing #BuildToRent #PlanningMatters #ModularHomes