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

Town planning support staff help to process planning applications submitted by individuals and businesses. This is a broad role that includes everything from giving advice to the public, to technical planning and office duties. As a support staff member, your responsibilities would include:

• preparing reports for internal and external publications
• recording minutes at meetings
• building and managing technical libraries, filing systems and databases
• drawing up designs, using computer-aided design (CAD) software
• carrying out data surveys, for example traffic impact assessments
• supplying information and data to planners for applications
• recording the progress and outcomes of planning applications
• organising public meetings
• answering enquiries about application procedures.

You might also work in planning enforcement, which would involve:

• working with individuals and businesses to make sure that they comply with the conditions set out in their application decisions
• gathering information to use as evidence in disputes
• presenting reports on breaches to planning committees or, where necessary, to magistrates and judges.

You would usually work for a local authority, independent planning consultancy, government department or a private company, for example a property developer.

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.

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.

You usually enter this job by applying directly for positions within local authorities or in private companies.  There are a variety of suitable undergraduate programmes and courses that can assist with a career in land use planning.

Town planning support can work in a variety of settings Local Authorities or in private companies in line with IPI Irish Planning Institute.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: landscape architecture, architectural technology, planning and policy, planning and environmental management.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: landscape architecture, architectural technology, planning and policy, planning and environmental management.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples:

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: architecture, architectural technology, planning and policy, spatial planning, environmental management.

Search for CAO Courses

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €36k - €70k

Salaries vary based on employer (Public/ Private) , duties, role, location, and experience. 

Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Payscale/ Local Council / LGMA/ Gov.ie/ Morgan McKInley

Last Updated: July, 2024

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

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The annual average employment growth was above average for this occupation, although employment levels declined marginally between 2021 and 2022. New employment permits issued in 2022 related to quantity surveyors and issues with recruitment of quantity surveyors were also evident in both the Skills for Growth and Recruitment Agency Survey data.

The supply of quantity surveyors has increased since 2016, with 336 awards in 2021 in higher education. The demand for these skills is expected to be sustained in the coming years, although the tasks may be incorporated into other occupations e.g. structural engineer. With supply increasing, issues with recruitment may lessen in future years. Demand for architects and town planners is likely to continue, although the data does not currently point to issues in relation to sourcing suitably qualified personnel for these roles. 

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