Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2021
46. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the planning regulations or statutory instruments that could be used to advise local authorities to include conservation plans for sites of potential historical importance in their county development plans such as sites on and around former mother and baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22011/21]
View answerI refer to my recent letter to the Deputy in this matter which issued further to a query he raised with An Taoiseach in this House regarding the protection of potential burial sites associated with mother and baby homes in the context of county development plans. It had been requested that local authorities ensure that such possible burial sites are identified and taken into account in the context of future developments.
As my letter of 27th April sets out, the preparation of statutory development plans is a central function of each planning authority and must be undertaken in accordance with the provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. In that context, where there is any evidence of such burial sites, I am satisfied that there are provisions in the 2000 Act which enable local authorities in their role as planning authority, to take a precautionary approach in addressing this matter and to properly safeguard any such sites from potentially harmful development.
Currently, almost every local authority has commenced, or is scheduled to shortly commence, the statutory review of their development plan in accordance with Section 11 of the Act. This process affords the opportunity for the identification of burial grounds and their subsequent protection from future development through appropriate policy and objectives in the county or city development plan, and which importantly includes several opportunities for public participation and consultation.
I believe the development plan process therefore provides an appropriate opportunity for important local knowledge to be applied to assist in the identification and subsequent protection of such burial grounds.
