Vol. 528 No. 1
20 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when he will publish the model housing strategy in County Louth; when he will publish the list of strategic development zones referred to in the Planning and Development Act, 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29355/00]
29 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when the guidelines for planning authorities on the preparation of their housing strategies together with a model housing strategy which were to be finalised before the end of November 2000 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29438/00]
70 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of local authorities which have drawn up housing strategies under Part V of the Planning and Development Act, 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29451/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 29 and 70 together.
My Department will be issuing the guidelines on the implementation of Part V of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, and the accompanying model housing strategy to planning authorities later this week.
Planning authorities are now required to prepare their housing strategies under Part V by 1 August next. I have urged them to complete this process ahead of this so that they can operate the social and affordable housing provisions as soon as possible. Based on available information it appears that, in general, county councils and county boroughs are at the early stages in the preparation of their strategies. In Dublin, where the affordability issue is most pressing, the four authorities have been working together over the past few months on the preparation of their strategies. This work is at an advanced stage and it is expected that the draft strategies will be submitted to the respective councils early next year for consideration. I will ask county and city managers to report to my Department by the end of January next setting out the position in relation to the preparation of the housing strategy for their area at that time, and specifically when it is proposed to complete the draft strategy and the procedures to vary the development plan to incorporate the strategy.
I commenced Part IX of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, which contains the provisions in relation to strategic development zones, with effect from 1 November. As indicated in my reply to Questions Nos. 141 and 276 of 8 November 2000, I gave approval at the end of October to a more detailed analysis by local authorities of 11 of the 25 sites put forward by them as potential strategic development zones for residential development under Part IX of the Act. Submissions have been received in relation to each of the sites and an assessment of these submissions is currently being finalised by my Department. I expect on this basis to be in a position to designate the first tranche of strategic development zones in January.
