Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 June 2018
72. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he is considering a land use plan to assist in the development of environmental, housing, transport and regional development goals. [26891/18]
View answerThe National Planning Framework (NPF) was published in February 2018 as part of Project Ireland 2040, which integrates and co-ordinates high-level objectives for environmental, housing, transport, regional development and related matters and sets a strategic context for sectoral investment and land use planning strategies at the more appropriate levels of the regions and local authorities.
For example, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is undertaking a strategic assessment of transport policies and approaches to support the implementation of the NPF through its Planning, Land Use and Transport Outlook (PLUTO) 2040, identifying required infrastructure and service provision to meet the needs of Ireland's population between now and 2040.
Regional Assemblies are preparing more detailed Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies to further develop and elaborate on the high-level policies in the NPF and it is anticipated that they will be published in draft format for public consultation in the coming months. The housing and land management objectives of the NPF are being further developed and implemented by work underway in establishing the new funding sources for urban and rural regeneration and the establishment of the National Regeneration and Development Agency.
The above demonstrates that the Government has already developed a framework for the co-ordination and implementation of environmental, housing, transport and regional development goals and for the addressing of such goals in a land use planning context through the existing statutory processes for planning at regional and local levels.
