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.

The Work

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 Bord Pleanála/ the Commission, 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, soning, 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 programs 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 soning codes, building codes, or environmental regulations.

Further Information

• Planner - 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)

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.

Last Updated: April, 2024

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

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

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. 

• 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