Local authorities are empowered by law to acquire land compulsorily for the purposes of carrying out any of their powers, duties and functions, including those in relation to housing. A local authority acquiring land compulsorily may be authorised to do so by means of a compulsory purchase order made by the authority and submitted to and confirmed by me, as Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government.
The Planning and Development Bill, 1999, when enacted, will transfer my functions in relation to CPOs to An Bord Pleanála and bring about other changes designed to streamline the CPO process.
My Department recently surveyed local authorities on the extent of zoned residential land currently serviced or likely to be serviced within the next six years. The survey results are being finalised and will be published shortly. An initial analysis of the results indicate that the position in regard to serviced land availability is positive. For example, Dublin local authorities estimate there is enough zoned serviced land available in the Dublin region to provide four years housing output, based on the 1999 record output levels. Based on the programme of water, sewerage, roads and other works going forward, this position is set to improve further. The position in the other major urban centres and their adjoining counties is also positive.