Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 July 2023
41. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the Revision Process for the National Planning Framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32916/23]
View answerThe National Planning Framework (NPF) is the long-term, 20 year strategy for the spatial development of Ireland and was published in 2018, and together with the National Development Plan, comprises Project Ireland 2040.
It is important to note that Section 20C of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended) includes in-built mechanisms to allow for regular revision and replacement of the NPF. Such revisions are relevant to reflect changing circumstances that have taken place since the NPF was published.
There is also a Programme for Government commitment to the statutory mandate to update the NPF in 2024.
The Government approved the commencement of the process to revise the National Planning Framework (NPF) on 20 June 2023.
An Expert Group has been appointed to undertake a high-level review of the NPF and it is expected that the work of the group will conclude with the submission of their report to the Minister over the summer. In addition, a number of technical assessments to inform the revision will be undertaken. For example, the full suite of results from Census 2022 published by the CSO over the coming months will be taken into account in the updating of the ESRI Structural Housing Demand methodology. The revision process provides for wide-ranging consultation and engagement with stakeholders and the public, including the reconvening of the Planning Advisory Forum for the purposes of informing the revision process.
The Roadmap for the First Revision outlines the full details of the process and timeline for the revision and can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/deef6-a-road-map-for-the-first-revision-of-the-national-planning-framework/.
