Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Developing Objectives and Strategies Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Working Life

Planners play a key role in how the environment where we live and work is developed and/or protected for future generations. Their work is diverse. They help to identify the best way to use land and/or buildings. Their goal is to ensure that a balance is achieved between the environmental, social and economic issues when a decision is being made on how land is used and sustainably developed.

The work of a planner impacts on all of our lives and for that reason much of their work involves extensive engagement with elected members (councillors), members of the public, environmental groups, business organisations, community groups, young people, government departments and state agencies.

A planner’s role is not limited to providing expert advice on planning applications or development plans. Many opportunities exist for planners to specialise in areas such as environmental planning, urban design, marine spatial planning, community development, infrastructure and renewable energy planning. Opportunities also exist for planners to conduct research and this gives planners an opportunity to propose innovative new approaches that may influence planning policy.

We live in an ever-changing environment where factors such as climate change, political unrest and pandemics impact on our everyday lives and planners have a key role to play in ensuring that our built environment (our homes or places of work or recreation) can adapt and evolve to meet these challenges.

Key employers are: Local authorities (city and county councils), regional assemblies, central government (including the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH)), the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR), An Coimisiún Pleanála, state agencies (including the National Transport Authority (NTA), Uisce Éireann, Land Development Agency (LDA), Eirgrid, the Housing Agency etc) , the private sector (including developers, construction companies, engineering companies, large retail business, transport organisations, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) etc).

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Design, promote, or administer government plans or policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, community facilities, housing, or transportation.
• Advise planning officials on project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, regulatory conformance, or possible alternatives.
• Create, prepare, or requisition graphic or narrative reports on land use data, including land area maps overlaid with geographic variables, such as population density.
• Hold public meetings with government officials, social scientists, lawyers, developers, the public, or special interest groups to formulate, develop, or address issues regarding land use or community plans.
• Mediate community disputes or assist in developing alternative plans or recommendations for programmes or projects.
• Recommend approval, denial, or conditional approval of proposals.
• Conduct field investigations, surveys, impact studies, or other research to compile and analyse data on economic, social, regulatory, or physical factors affecting land use.
• Evaluate proposals for infrastructure projects or other development for environmental impact or sustainability.
• Discuss with planning officials the purpose of land use projects, such as transportation, conservation, residential, commercial, industrial, or community use.
• Keep informed about economic or legal issues involved in zoning codes, building codes, or environmental regulations.

Further Information

• Planning futures- from: RTPI Planning your World

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

 Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Entrants to this job are graduates with a degree in or postgraduate qualification in planning. There is a variety of third level courses accredited by the professional bodies (Irish Planning Institute/ Royal Town Planning Institute) in Ireland. These courses are available at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Ireland.

A planning qualification that is accredited by the planning professional bodies: IPI or RTPI, is normally required to become employed as a planner in Ireland.

A full list of planning and planning-related courses provided by each third level institution is set out hereunder:

Technological University Dublin

Planning and Environmental Management (BSc) (IPI accredited)

Spatial Planning (MSc) (IPI accredited)

Urban Regeneration and Development (MSc)

Other related courses:

Sustainable Development (MSc)

Sustainable Transport and Mobility (MSc)

University College Dublin

Undergraduate:

City Planning and Environmental Policy (BSc) (IPI accredited- Important to note BSc in City planning & Env Policy is only accredited when completed in conjunction with MRUP accelerated.)

Postgraduate:

Regional and Urban Planning (MRUP) (IPI accredited)

Urban Design and Planning (MSc)

Planning Development and Urban Design (MSc)

Other related courses:

Environmental Policy (MSc)

Sustainable Development (MSc)

University College Cork

Postgraduate:

Planning and Sustainable Development (MPlan) (IPI accredited)

Queens University

Undergraduate:

Planning, Environment and Development (BSc)

European Planning (BSc)

Postgraduate:

Planning and Development (MSc)

City Planning and Design (MSc)

Ulster University

Undergraduate:

Planning, Regeneration and Development (BSc)

Postgraduate:

Planning and City Resilience (MSc)

Other professions such as architects, engineers and senior managers etc. frequently re-skill, as mature students, via one of the above accredited courses.

Qualifications required for planners under the Local Government Act 2001.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €37k - €94k

Salaries vary by employer, location, duties, role, and 

Data Source(s):
OPR/ LGMA/ PAS/ GOV.ie/ Morgan McKinley

Last Updated: July, 2024

This occupation has been placed on the Critical Skills Occupations List, which identifies occupations where there is a shortage in respect of qualifications, experience, or skills necessary for the proper functioning of the economy.

Planners with localised knowledge are urgently required to meet current demands on critical infrastructure, housing, and renewable energy.

Staff deficits are prevailing in An Coimisiún Pleanála and in local housing authorities.

In response to these demands on the planning system, a detailed roadmap to increase the pool of planning expertise was published in the Ministerial Action Plan on Planning Resources     (published by The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in October 2024).

An average graduate output of 120 planners per year is set out as a target to meet this demand. 

A Steering Group was established in April 2024 to oversee and coordinate the development and implementation of the Action Plan. The Steering Group includes representation from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, the local government sector, Regional Assemblies, An Coimisiún Pleanála, Office of the Planning Regulator, The Irish Planning Institute, Infrastructure Providers and Third Level Sector. 

This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Architects, Quantity surveyors, Town planners, Chartered surveyors, Chartered architectural technologists.  

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).

This occupation had a negative annual average employment growth rate over the five-year period, with employment declining annually since 2021; the numbers employed across the roles within this group are too small to determine which are particularly contributing to the decline. The number of job adverts were also relatively small (mainly for architects, town planners and quantity surveyors). Despite this, our other data sources point to issues with attracting suitably qualified persons for these roles.

Employment permits issued in 2023 were mainly for quantity surveyors and architectural technologists. The Recruitment Agency Survey identified issues with sourcing quantity surveyors while the Skills for Growth data identified issues with sourcing experienced (2-5 years) façade designers, quantity surveyors and architects with knowledge of codes, regulations and fire safety, as well as experience with tender documents.

There were over 750 architecture related awards in 2022; of these, 155 awards were made to learners on RIAI accredited programmes (i.e. qualified architects), which fell slightly from nearly 170 awards in 2021, but was 44% higher than in 2018, There were 288 awards in quantity surveying at levels 8, considerably higher than the 144 awards in 2018. Demand for these skills is likely to continue with shortages persisting for quantity surveyors (albeit small in number given the small number employed).

• Public Appointments Service

  • Chapter House, 26/30 Abbey Street Upper, Dublin 1, D01 C7W6
  • (01) 858 7400 or Local: 1890 44 9999
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Planning Institute

  • Ground Floor, Fitzwilliam House, 6 Fitzwilliam Street Lower, Dublin 2, D02 TX34
  • 01-8788630
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Royal Town Planning Institute

  • Royal Town Planning Institute Ireland, 29 Merrion Square North, Dublin 2, D02 RW64
  • 089 2515649
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Office of the Planning Regulator

  • Park House, Grangegorman, 191-193A North Circular Road, Dublin 7, D07 EWV4
  • 01 8546729
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here