Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2017
17. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the way in which his Department is progressing the affordable housing scheme which was agreed as part of the Poolbeg LAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33395/17]
View answerIn May 2016, the Government designated Poolbeg West as a Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) because of its potential to deliver a large proportion of the extra homes needed in the centre of Dublin.
The next step in realising the potential of the SDZ was the publication for consultation by Dublin City Council of a detailed planning scheme for the area. The Council prepared a draft planning scheme which was considered by their elected members in May 2017. In its role as a statutory consultee for that process, my Department highlighted the importance of the planning scheme addressing a variety of housing needs, including social housing and those of other households seeking to accommodate themselves through private housing.
On this basis, the Council proposed a material amendment to the Planning Scheme in relation to the social/affordable, mixed-tenure housing, details of which were on display until yesterday. As a statutory consultee, my Department made further observations in this regard.
On foot of the proposed material amendment, 900 of 3,500 new homes on the SDZ lands will be delivered as social/affordable units. The arrangements proposed as part of the planning scheme are not part of any new national affordable housing scheme but were developed in response to the specific context of the SDZ.
Of the 900 units referred to, 350 (10% of the overall total) will be delivered as social housing in accordance with the provisions of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). It is intended that an agreement, with confirmed funding, will be entered into between the City Council , the receiver and my Department, prior to commencement of development, for a further 550 new homes, the majority of which will be housing earmarked for affordable rental, with the balance provided as social housing with a particular focus on housing for older people.
While the progression of the Planning Scheme is ultimately a matter for Dublin City Council, I am committed to working with the Council to deliver these social and affordable units on what is a key site for the sustainable development of Dublin City.
