New co-living developments are to be effectively banned, the Housing Minister has confirmed.
Darragh O'Brien says he's concerned there have been too many applications and permissions compared to the "niche quantity of units the concept was originally aimed for".
He will now look to amend planning guidelines to restrict any developments in the future.
The changes cannot be applied retrospectively - meaning developments already given permission or going through the planning process won't be impacted.
In a statement, Minister O'Brien said: “I believe this is the correct decision and it is one I have come to following careful consideration.
“I believe the number of applications and permissions to date are comparatively high in the international context.
“I also believe the location of a substantial number of the potential co-living sites is not in keeping with the high density urban centres originally envisaged and that inappropriate locations away from the core city centre have undermined the concept."
He also highlighted a "serious risk" that permission for co-living developments "will add to upward pressure on land prices".
Co-living developments have drawn widespread criticism and concern in recent years, after planning regulations were amended to allow for them.
Such developments see tenants given a private room, but they must share a kitchen with potentially dozens of others.
Minister O'Brien's predecessor Eoghan Murphy had defended the concept, saying it wasn't a solution for most people but that it was "very different" than bedsits.
Five applications for co-living developments - all in Dublin - have been granted planning permission, accounting for around 740 bedspaces.
Seven other applications remain under consideration, while two have had their permission refused or quashed.
