Billy Timmins
Question:9 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of local authorities which have adopted a housing strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17309/02]
Written Answers. - Local Authority Housing.
Bernard Allen
Question:194 Mr. Allen 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. [17565/02]
Bernard Allen
Question:196 Mr. Allen 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 the 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. [17567/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 194 and 196 together.
All planning authorities completed their housing strategies in accordance with Part V of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 by the July 2001 deadline and all strategies were adopted by means of a variation of the relevant development plan. To assist local authorities, my Department had earlier issued guidelines and a model housing strategy in December 2000. Draft housing strategies were forwarded to my Department and were examined by reference to the guidelines and model strategy.
Housing strategies are a key element of the Government's policy of increasing the supply of housing and making housing more affordable. Under Part V of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 each planning authority is legally required to prepare a housing strategy which will cover the period of its development plan. Crucially, planning authorities are now legally obliged to ensure there is sufficient land zoned for residential development over the period of the development plan to meet the housing requirements identified in the strategy. To ensure the housing strategy is kept up to date, planning authorities must review and, if necessary, amend it within two years of its preparation. The strategy should also be reviewed where there is a change in housing requirements or in the housing market that could fundamentally affect the existing strategy.
Housing strategies should, therefore, bring greater order and certainty into the planning and provision of housing development in local authority areas in a way which will benefit both the house building industry and households requiring housing. To ensure that Part V is meeting the objectives for which it was enacted, with particular reference to social and affordable housing, a review of its operation is under way in my Department. It is intended that the results of this review will be brought to Government as soon as possible.