Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2024
363. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding his Departments study on Transit-oriented Development on Waterford, Galway, Limerick and Cork, its publication date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2957/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra364. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on using the transport-oriented development principle approach for spatial equity-proofing strategic planning in Ireland, in order to achieve true balanced regional development and alleviate pressure on the east coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2958/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and the Department of Transport (DoT) jointly established a working group in December 2021 under ‘Housing for All’ to consider opportunities for Transport Orientated Development (TOD) in major urban centres. The group comprises membership from my Department, DoT, the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the Land Development Agency (LDA).
Transport Orientated Development (TOD) seeks to maximise the provision of housing, employment, public services and leisure space in close proximity to high quality transport services, including BusConnects, DART, Luas and MetroLink in Dublin.
The first report from this Working Group, which looked at Transport Oriented Development Opportunities in Dublin, was published on the 23 of June 2023 and can be found on my Department’s website: www.gov.ie/en/publication/0b532-opportunities-for-transport-orientated-development-tod-in-major-urban-centres-dublin-study/.
The TOD Working Group, which undertook the study, are now focussing on TOD opportunities in the Eastern Region (outside the four Dublin local authorities) and in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford in 2024. It is intended that when this assessment process is concluded, a similar report to that published in respect of the four Dublin authorities will be published in Q1 of 2024.
The outputs from this work will also help to inform Government policy and initiatives in support of the National Strategic Outcomes of the National Planning Framework (NPF), in particular outcomes relating to Compact Growth, Sustainable Mobility and Transition to a Low Carbon and Climate Resilient Society.
This will include consideration of legislative and policy provisions, institutional arrangements, capacity-building measures and funding and resources required to facilitate the delivery of such plan-led development in a timely manner
The outputs from this work will also support spatial equity principles promoted through the NPF by providing increased opportunities to develop new and expanded communities at scale, including in areas of greater need thereby maximising the opportunity to provide the strategic co-ordinated plan-led development of of housing (including social and affordable housing), employment, public services and leisure space facilities for communities in close proximity to frequent, high quality transport services.
Engagement with local authorities, the LDA, the NTA and infrastructure providers, such as Uisce Éireann, will also continue in order to identify further opportunities and to accelerate TOD delivery.
