Ceist Eile

Ceist Eile is in development. Features, questions and prices may change while we refine it.

Subjects · Leaving Cert Construction Studies

Leaving Cert Construction Studies: Planning permission & regulations

How often Planning permission & regulations comes up on the Construction Studies papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 2 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2024.

OL Asked on 3 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2024.

June 2028 is the first exam on the new Construction Studies course. These come from the 2016–2025 papers, so read them as a guide.

Planning permission & regulations, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Planning permission & regulations.

(a)How must the public be told of a planning application?
  1. A letter to the Minister
  2. A site notice and a newspaper notice
  3. A notice on the council's radon map
(b)Which body decides planning appeals in Ireland?
  1. The Heritage Council
  2. The county council planning office
  3. An Coimisiún Pleanála
(c)What is exempted development?
  1. Work that needs no planning permission, within set limits
  2. Buildings exempt from the Building Regulations
  3. Work the council has banned
Show the answers

(a) A site notice and a newspaper notice

(b) An Coimisiún Pleanála

(c) Work that needs no planning permission, within set limits

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Planning permission & regulations.

Higher Level

Asked on 2 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2024.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Not asked
2024Q4
2023Not asked
2022Not asked
2021Not asked
2019Not asked
2018Not asked
2017Not asked
2016Q4

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Planning permission & regulations questions

Planning permission & regulations, 2 marks

What are the Technical Guidance Documents (TGDs)?

  1. Planning conditions set by each county council
  2. Rules for claiming SEAI home energy grants
  3. Guidance on meeting each Part of the Building Regulations
Show the answer

Guidance on meeting each Part of the Building Regulations

Each Part, A to M, has a TGD showing ways to comply, such as Part L for energy or Part M for access. Following the TGD is taken as meeting that requirement.

Planning permission & regulations, 2 marks

Which Part of the Building Regulations deals with conservation of fuel and energy?

  1. Part C
  2. Part L
  3. Part M
Show the answer

Part L

Part L covers energy performance, including U-values and renewables. Part M covers access and use, and Part C covers site preparation and resistance to moisture, including radon.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 3 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2024.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Not asked
2024Q8a
2023Not asked
2022Not asked
2021Q4
2019Not asked
2018Not asked
2017Not asked
2016Q4

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Planning permission & regulations questions

Planning permission & regulations, 2 marks

Why must a site notice be put up when applying for planning permission?

  1. To warn workers about hazards on the site
  2. To show the house's energy rating to future buyers
  3. To tell the public about the proposed building
Show the answer

To tell the public about the proposed building

The notice is fixed where it can be read from the road, so neighbours and the public know about the plans and can make a submission to the council.

Planning permission & regulations, 2 marks

Who normally decides a planning application for a new house?

  1. The ESB, which connects the electricity
  2. The local authority (county or city council)
  3. The Sustainable Energy Authority (SEAI)
Show the answer

The local authority (county or city council)

The local council's planning department checks the plans against its development plan and decides whether to grant permission, with or without conditions.

Planning permission & regulations, 3 marks

Documents that show how to meet the Building Regulations?

  1. Technical Guidance Documents (TGDs)
  2. County development plans (CDPs)
  3. BER certificates and reports
Show the answer

Technical Guidance Documents (TGDs)

Each part of the Building Regulations, such as fire, stairs or energy, has a TGD explaining acceptable ways to comply.

Other Construction Studies topics

All of Leaving Cert Construction Studies