Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 July 2023
22. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he intends taking to encourage more house building, particularly by reviewing the NDP and streamlining the planning process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32075/23]
View answerThe National Development Plan (NDP) is the rolling capital programme linked to the National Planning Framework (NPF), the overarching spatial strategy for the development of Ireland to 2040.
The NPF includes a range of objectives to support the delivery of housing to meet population targets, as informed by independent modelling undertaken by the ESRI. Government commenced the process to revise the NPF on 20 June 2023. Results from Census 2022 will be taken into account in the updating of the ESRI Structural Housing Demand methodology.
Through Housing for All, Government has introduced a number of measures to support those wishing to purchase or securely rent a home, as well as increasing the overall supply of new homes, with a target of 300,000 new homes up to 2030.
Measures introduced include the RZLT to activate land for housing, proposals to prioritise infrastructure provision and active land management through LVS/UDZ, in addition to funding schemes to encourage the increased supply of housing. We are also working with the LDA, AHBs and local authorities to deliver affordable housing for sale and for rent.
The Draft Planning and Development Bill 2022 will increase clarity and certainty in the planning system by bolstering the ‘plan-led’ approach, with statutory timelines for consenting processes. This streamlining of legislation will aid the timely delivery of housing, building on the introduction of LRD legislation and exempted development provisions for the conversion of vacant commercial premises to housing.
