Skip to main content
Normal View

Land Development Agency

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 July 2020

Thursday, 23 July 2020

Questions (45)

Gino Kenny

Question:

45. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the way in which the LDA will address the housing crisis; if representatives of NGOs or bodies that have campaigned on behalf of the homeless or on the housing crisis will be represented on the board of the LDA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17626/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Land Development Agency (LDA) was established on an interim basis in September 2018, by way of an Order made under the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act 1971, pending the enactment of primary legislation when it will be established as a commercial State agency.

The LDA has an immediate focus on managing the State’s own lands to develop new homes, and regenerate under-utilised sites. The LDA have access to an initial tranche of 9 sites that have near term delivery potential for 3,600 new homes. In the longer-term, it will assemble strategic landbanks from a mix of public and private lands to deliver housing, a significant proportion of which will be social and affordable. The overall objective is for the LDA to be involved in the building of 150,000 new homes over the next 20 years.

In January 2019, an interim Board of the LDA was appointed under the chairmanship of Mr. John Moran, former Secretary General at the Department of Finance. The composition of the interim Board is drawn from the private and public sector and provides a good mix of skills and expertise. In line with Article 6 of the LDA Establishment Order, it includes representatives of my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the local government sector, the Housing Agency and other persons that are considered appropriate.

The membership of the interim Board is as follows:

- John Moran - Chair

- Michael Stone - Chairman of the North East Inner City Regeneration Implementation Board

- Timothy Bouchier Hayes - Solicitor and construction law expert

- Michelle Norris - UCD Professor of Social Policy

- Conn Murray - Former Limerick City and County Council Chief Executive

- John Coleman – Chief Executive, LDA

- John O'Connor – Chief Executive, Housing Agency

- Clare Costello - Principal Officer, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

- Caroline Timmons – Principal Officer, Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

On enactment of the primary legislation, a permanent board and Chairperson for the LDA will be appointed in accordance with the Guidelines on the Appointment to State Boards. In the Programme for Government, we have committed to ensuring the LDA Board includes a cross spectrum of housing, financial, governance and other independent experts needed to fulfil its remit.

Top
Share