Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
802. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the person or body the Land Development Agency will be answerable to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20380/21]
View answer803. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the person or body who will be answerable to the Land Development Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20381/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 802 and 803 together.
The Land Development Agency (LDA) was established on an interim basis in September 2018, by way of an Establishment 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. In accordance with the LDA Bill, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and myself will the sole shareholders of the Land Development Agency, who will also be accountable to Public Accounts Committee and other Committees of the Oireachtas as appropriate.
Under the Land Development Agency Bill 2021, the LDA will require the approval of the Minister for Housing, along with Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and Minister for Finance in certain circumstances, for a range of processes. These include such processes as entering into capital commitments, disposing of land and establishing subisidiary Designated Activity Companies (DACs). The Minister for Housing will receive advice from the New Economy and Recovery Authority (“NewERA”)(a business unit of the National Treasury Management Agency) when assessing these requests.
Under the Bill, the LDA will also be required to report to the Minister for Housing on its progress with regards to the achievement of the purposes of the Act every five years. The LDA will also have to comply with any directions given by the Minister for Housing, with the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, in relation to the performance of its functions.
The LDA Bill also places an obligation on relevant public bodies to cooperate with the LDA in the performance by the Agency of its functions relating to the relevant public land owned by the body. The relevant public body will be required to provide certain information on its relevant public land to the LDA including information on the current and previous use of such land.
