Update 12.30pm: Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy says the increased number of cranes in the Dublin skyline are building office blocks and not homes.

He’s published a list of guidelines today that aim to reduce the cost of building apartments.

Included in the measures are easing height restrictions and removing the need for parking.

Minister Eoghan Murphy says car parks are costing developers too much.

“What we're saying is that the default would be for no car parking spaces, but if the developer can make a good case to put in parking, then, of course, the city council can take that on board.

“We’re talking about city centre locations primarily because we know that every car parking space going underground is a significant additional cost per unit for developers.

“At the moment, developers finding enough viability when it comes to building departments and that’s why so many of the cranes we see are actually building office blocks and not homes.

Original story (7.13am): Height restrictions on residential buildings to be eased

Height restrictions on residential buildings are to be eased in new guidelines around apartment developments.

The Housing Department will publish the draft document today which also intends to increase the cap on the number of units that can be on a floor.

The need to have parking spaces will be reduced in areas with good public transport, while 'shared living options' will also be explored.

Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy said the guidelines aim to make it more cost-effective to build apartments.

Architect and assistant professor at UCD Orla Hegarty said the changes will cause delays.

"Nobody can start building if there is uncertainty about what the building will be. Anybody who has planning permission at the moment and were planning to develop it next year is likely now to put the brake on that and stop and wait and see what more they can get on site," she said.

"The immediate impact will probably fewer partner starting in the new year which is exactly the wrong policy direction," she added.