Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 3

Written Answers. - Local Authority Housing.

Liam Burke

Question:

162 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has drawn up a sample housing strategy policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24704/00]

Ivan Yates

Question:

318 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the way in which it is proposed to implement Part V of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, in relation to the housing provision of up to 20% from private planning applications; and if he has set out a detailed blueprint whereby local authorities will implement this aspect of social and affordable housing. [25002/00]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 104, 162 and 318 together.

I commenced certain provisions of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, including Part V, with effect from Wednesday last, 1 November.

As I indicated in reply to Questions Nos. 370 and 374 of 24 October, planning authorities now have a maximum of nine months from com mencement to prepare their housing strategies and start the procedures to vary their development plans. The strategies must be incorporated into the plans within a maximum of three further months. I have urged local authorities to complete the process well ahead of these time limits so that they can operate the social and affordable housing provisions as soon as possible.

Guidelines for planning authorities on the preparation of their housing strategies are currently in drafting for publication this month along with a model housing strategy. The model strategy, which will demonstrate the practical operation of Part V using Louth as the model county, is being produced on the basis that there is a sufficient commonality of themes across planning authorities to make such a document both meaningful and useful. My Department will forward the guidelines and model housing strategy to each planning authority when completed and will be asking them to report to my Department by the end of January on the position in relation to the preparation of their housing strategies.