New planning guidelines released by the Department of the Environment will see developments of much smaller apartments occurring in Dublin. Minister Alan Kelly told RTÉ  that 8,000 residential units were needed in Dublin this year with less than 3,000 actually reaching completion. The minimum size of a one-bedroom unit will be 45 square metres, with two and three bed apartments at 73 and 90 square metres respectively. There will also be some studio apartments measuring a tiny 40 square metres.

How would you like living in a 40 sq meter apartment like this? Alan Kelly on new guidelines. @morningireland 8.15 pic.twitter.com/t2T66v69pa

— Cathal Mac Coille (@CathalMacCoille) December 22, 2015

The new planning guidelines on design standards for apartments sets the minimum size of one-bedroom units at 45 square metres, two beds at 73 and three beds at 90 square metres. Studio apartments of 40 square metres will also be permitted in certain developments. This is all in an effort to deal with the massive accommodation shortage in the city and around Ireland in general.

After a long days work, time to go home and put the feet up. Thanks a lot Alan Kelly! pic.twitter.com/dn8zLW9lkY — Ken Stanley (@Ken_Stanley) December 22, 2015

Minister Kelly has responded to criticisms of lowering accommodation standards on RTÉ‘s Morning Ireland: "We have made changes to ensure that there can be apartments built, particularly in the city centre locations, that are actually affordable.' Lead Image - AliceInWonderland.net