Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 April 2012
816 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will review and implement in full the recommendations of the 1977 Kenny report to regulate land valuations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18004/12]
View answer840 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he will take in order to implement the Kenny report. [18355/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 816 and 840 together.
The Government has taken an extensive range of measures to ensure the more sustainable treatment of land and property in Ireland across both the housing and planning areas.
The Government's housing policy statement published in June 2011 marked a radical departure for housing in Ireland. The statement clearly recognises the economic consequences of an over reliance on the property sector. It signalled a shift to a tenure neutral high level objective, and a clear commitment to restoring balance to the housing sector generally through a lesser reliance on home ownership. The statement also announced the standing down of all affordable housing schemes on the basis that these had been symptoms of, rather than solutions to, an overheated property market. I anticipate that a contract for the full review of Part V will be awarded shortly.
In the planning area, the Government will be bringing forward new guidance to planning authorities shortly to update the way in which development contributions schemes are used to capture planning gain. We are also keenly aware of the strong synergy between a balanced, evidence based approach to forward planning and overcoming our economic challenges to prepare for recovery. In this regard, the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act, 2010 has strengthened regional co-ordination and the alignment of planning policies from national to local level, with the integration of core strategies; local authorities are engaging with the legislation and recognise the need for a plan-led approach for all proposed development. The requirement to include evidence-based core strategies in development plans is essential in rationalising the excessive zoning in some parts of the country, and moving to a position where all zoning is based on a quantifiable need that is community based rather than developer-led.
I am committed to a physical planning system that is better supported by:
evidence-based requirements linked to key Government strategic policies, e.g. through the National Spatial Strategy and capital allocations;
a coherent basis to ensure planning and investment in infrastructure and services are focused on the most suitable locations;
tackling the legacy of over-zoning and moving towards a more joined up approach to the delivery of critical services such as schools, public transport, water services and social housing;
refocusing on revitalising city and town centres, and discouraging urban sprawl;
engaging more directly with elected members at a strategic level by requiring them to bring together, in a concise manner, the key priorities of their development plan; and
providing the necessary certainty about where development will take place.
The report of the Mahon Tribunal contains a number of recommendations regarding planning, and these are subject to full consideration by Government, with a view to any further reforms necessary to ensure a fair, open and transparent planning system.
