Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 24 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 5

Written Answers. - Commencement of Legislation.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

369 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the Acts and provisions of Acts for the commencement of which an order or decision of the Government is required which have not been commenced by reason of the fact that such an order or decision has not been made; the plans there are for the making of such an order or decision in each case; if so, when such an order or decision will be made; the reason for the failure in each case to make such an order or decision to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23042/00]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey):

I refer to the reply to Question No. 675 of 3 October 2000. None of the provisions listed in that reply statutorily require a Government order or decision prior to commencement.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

370 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the present status of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, following the recent decision of the Supreme Court; when the Act comes into force; when developers will have to provide 20% of their lands for social and affordable housing; if his Department will be issuing guidelines to local authorities on the implementation of this Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22885/00]

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

374 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when the commencement orders and regulations associated with the Planning and Development Act, 2000, will be signed so the provisions of the Act can be fully implemented to streamline the planning process. [22931/00]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 370 and 374 together.

The Planning and Development Act, 2000, was enacted on 28 August last. The Act is due to be commenced in stages with the first provisions, including Part V on Housing Supply, scheduled to be brought into force in November. It is intended to bring the rest of the Act into force early in 2001.

Following commencement of Part V, each local authority will have to develop a housing strategy and incorporate these into their development plans. Guidelines for local authorities on the preparation of their housing strategies are currently in drafting for publication in November along with a model housing strategy. Planning authorities will have a maximum of nine months from commencement to prepare their housing strategy and start the procedures to vary their development plans. The strategies must be incorporated into the plans within a maximum of three further months. I will be urging the local authorities to complete the process well ahead of these time limits so that they can operate the social and affordable housing provisions as soon as possible. The agreement on the transfer of land to a local authority will be a condition of the granting of planning permission. A series of regional seminars for local authorities on the implementation of Part V is planned to follow the publication of the guidelines.

Guidelines and explanatory notes on the Act and regulations will issue to all planning authorities as each stage is commenced. It is intended to hold a series of training seminars in the new year to assist local authorities in the implementation of other parts of the Act.