Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 December 2023
318. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an updated timeline for the production of the draft National Planning Framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53522/23]
View answerThe Roadmap for the First Revision of the National Planning Framework (NPF), published in June 2023, provided an outline of the indicative timelines for the revision process. A copy of the Roadmap can be accessed on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/deef6-a-road-map-for-the-first-revision-of-the-national-planning-framework/.
A core objective of the preparation of the first revision to the NPF will be to ensure that all relevant stakeholders and the wider public are consulted and encouraged to contribute to the process of this revision at appropriate stages in the process. Consequently, there are a number of consultation processes and structures for engagement that my Department has established to enable detailed consideration of these important issues.
An Expert Group was appointed in March 2023 to undertake a high-level review of the NPF and their report was furnished to me in August 2023. This report has informed stakeholder consultation through the Planning Advisory Forum, which is chaired by Minister of State O'Donnell, and bi-lateral engagement with key stakeholders.
This engagement process will inform the preparation of the draft NPF Revision. It is intended to publish the draft revision for public consultation in January 2024, and to engage concurrently with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the draft during the public consultation phase.
The NPF Revision process is scheduled for completion in April 2024.
