Pa Daly
Question:297. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10416/25]
View answerThursday, 6 March 2025
Questions (297)
Written answers
My Department notes the commitment in the recently published Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future to introduce planning guidelines for solar energy developments.
In light of this commitment, my Department has begun an initial scoping process to identify the component factors relevant to the preparation of planning guidelines for solar energy development, including any appropriate environmental reporting and public consultation requirements, and the possible timeframe for publication of said guidelines. Given this scoping process remains at an early stage, such guidelines, once completed, will likely issue as a National Planning Statement, subject to commencement of the relevant provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2024.
In the interim, there are currently no specific planning guidelines in place in respect of solar energy developments. Proposals for individual solar energy developments are subject to the statutory requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, in the same manner as other proposed developments, with planning applications made to the relevant local planning authority, or An Bord Pleanála on appeal.
In 2024, An Bord Pleanála determined 18 proposals for solar energy, 17 of which were granted planning permission.
Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned.