Vol. 489 No. 3
182 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will communicate with local authorities in relation to the desirability of a social chapter which would include consideration of issues including unemployment in the revision process for each local authority development plan. [7835/98]
The development plan of a local authority is essentially concerned with regularising land use in the authority's area. The Local Government (Planning & Development) Act, 1963, as amended, sets out mandatory and optional objectives to be included in a development plan. Among the mandatory objectives is the identification of particular areas for particular purposes, such as residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural or otherwise. In deciding on land use objectives in the context of the proper planning and development of their area, it is open to local authorities to take into consideration, as they consider appropriate, social issues such as employment. This will be among the aspects of development plans which will be considered for inclusion in the proposed guidelines for local authorities on the scope and content of development plans which are in the course of preparation in my Department. Furthermore, in the major review of planning legislation now under way, I will be considering whether there is a need to amend the present legislative provisions in this respect. Under the new urban renewal scheme which will come into effect on 1 August 1998, designations for urban renewal will be based on the concept of integrated area plans which will address not only issues of physical development such as appropriate use, quality of design and conservation, but will also cover wider issues of local socio-economic benefit including training, education and social housing.
