2026 Agenda
8:40AM
Welcome and opening remarks from the Chair
8:50AM
Welcome from the IHBA
Welcome from the IHBA and discussion on the current energy crisis and its potential impact on the construction sector
9:05AM
ZONING PANEL:
From zoning to dezoning and back again – can we develop a coherent zoning plan for housing?
The government’s latest housing plan prioritises compact urban growth, promoting serviced land availability, and using tools like the Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT), all while introducing a new Housing Infrastructure Fund and a Housing Activation Office to tackle bottlenecks. Our panel explores these proposals to unlock private land for development in the right locations and at the scale required and discusses why planning reform is a vital element in delivering Ireland’s housing ambition
9:40AM
FIRESIDE CHAT:
Ensuring new builds are fibre-ready for the future
Barry discusses the latest development in ensuring new builds are provided with fibre-ready infrastructure – the Giga Infrastructure Act is now in force in Ireland. What does it mean for builders and infrastructure operators?
9:55AM
INFRASTRUCTURE PANEL:
Tackling the infrastructure challenge
A new plan for accelerating enabling infrastructure for housing delivery addresses the barriers we all know about. But, what’s different about this plan and how will it help drive building at scale? Our speakers give their take on the action plan to address barriers such as regulatory burdens, inconsistent planning decisions and timelines, the threat of judicial reviews, procurement challenges and more.
Introduction from Sean O’Driscoll, member of the government’s Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce
Speakers:
10:45AM
The Irish housing market outlook for 2026 and beyond
Marian talks us through the outlook for the Irish housing market and discusses why buyers must be given more choice and options in today’s housing market.
11:00AM
Networking Coffee Break and Exhibition Viewing
11:35AM
PANEL DISCUSSION:
The JR process: Getting the balance right
Can we create a planning system with faster processes, fewer delays, but robust legal protections? The proposed JR reforms attempt to strike that balance, with the potential to materially accelerate Ireland’s housing delivery. Our speakers debate how we get that balance right.
12:00PM
VIABILITY PANEL:
Getting to the bottom of why urban development is so difficult to deliver
- According to a recent SCSI report, apartment building is now viable. How quickly can we activate the 40,000 dormant apartment planning permissions already granted?
- How do we de-risk the build element and improve efficiency?
- Scaling to meet housing needs: Overcoming the challenges of accelerating delivery through offsite manufacturing
- What about getting homes built outside of the main urban centres? Are we relying on one-off housing as the main solution?
- Impact of environmental laws on viability
- Are we creating a stable and attractive environment for investors?
12:35PM
Networking Lunch and Exhibition Viewing
1:35PM
Welcome Back from the Chair
1:40PM
GOVERNMENT ADDRESS
1:55PM
INDUSTRY LEADERS PANEL:
Ireland’s housing plan – is it the game changer the industry has been waiting for?
In 2024 The Housing Commission warned clearly that unless fundamental system changes were made we would continue to fall short on our housing targets. Were they listened to?
Our closing panel critiques the government’s newest housing plan – what’s positive, what’s missing and asks what happens when the plan meets reality on the ground?
Speakers:
2:30PM
FIRESIDE CHAT:
Powering the future of home building: Technology and innovation in heating and energy
Shane and Jeff discuss why innovative technologies across heating, cooling and ventilation in residential buildings matter now more than ever…
2:45PM
KEYNOTE ADDRESS:
How the European Housing Plan matters for Ireland
Prompted by the urgent social and economic challenges caused by a lack of affordable housing across the EU, Ciaran discusses the first ever European Affordable Housing Plan. Touted as a radical overhaul of how the EU tackles housing with EU-level financial and legislative support, we’ll hear the proposed solutions to Europe’s housing crisis and how it will impact Ireland.
3:00PM
SME PANEL:
Growing small builders: What’s holding them back?
SME builders have the capacity, the resources and the will to build more houses in the midst of the housing crisis. So, what is holding them back? Ireland’s builders are typically small businesses so how do they grow and improve productivity? How can they be incentivised to invest in technology and MMC? What about accessing funding? What government policies could encourage economies of scale?
3:35PM
Closing remarks and summit close
Speaker:
