Vol. 543 No. 2
139 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the local authorities which have informed him of their adoption of a housing strategy; if he has examined these strategies; if this will impact on the construction industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26290/01]
141 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if all local authorities submitted housing strategies under Part V of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, by 31 July 2001 deadline; the number of local authorities which have varied their development plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26700/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 141 together.
In accordance with section 94 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, all planning authorities completed their housing strategies by the end July 2001 deadline. Authorities have or are now in the process of incorporating these strategies into development plans by means of a variation. To assist local authorities the Department issued guidelines and a model housing strategy in December 2000. Draft housing strategies were forwarded to my Department and were examined with reference to the model.
Housing strategies and other Part V provisions are one of the central elements of the Government's policy of increasing the supply of housing, making housing more affordable and promoting better social inclusion. Housing strategies are intended to bring greater order and certainty into how housing is planned and provided and as to the level of house building required in an area over the next few years, the type of housing needs to be catered for and the extent of zoned building land which may be required. All of this should make it easier for developers to plan and complete their building programmes.
Some 65 out of the 88 local authorities have varied their development plans to include their housing strategies. Virtually all remaining local authorities expect to vary their development plans this month.
