Vol. 537 No. 3
83 Mr. Stagg 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. [15973/01]
Part V of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, was commenced with effect from 1 November last. In accordance with section 94 of the Act, planning authorities have until the end of July this year to prepare their housing strategies. They then, in accordance with guidelines from my Department, have a further three months to vary their development plans. Planning authorities have been urged to complete this process as soon as possible so they can operate the social and affordable housing provisions at the earliest date. In this regard, I welcome the fact that Fingal County Council and Dublin Corporation adopted their housing strategies on 30 April and 14 May, respectively. Dún Laoghaire Rathdown and South Dublin County Councils are in the process of varying their development plans to incorporate their housing strategies. Based on end-March returns, all of the remaining local authorities are making good progress in preparing their strategies and expect to have them completed by the end-July deadline.
