Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 4 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 3

Written Answers. - Social Housing.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

127 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the regulations and conditions which govern the Government's social housing policy; if directors of services within local authority areas are empowered to decide on individual planning applications; if social or affordable housing should apply; if location of the proposed developments is to be the principal determining factor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22537/01]

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

I understand the Deputy is referring to the social and affordable housing provisions of Part V of the Planning and Development Act, 2000. In accordance with section 94 of the Act, planning authorities have completed their housing strategies by the end July 2001 deadline. The authorities have or are in the process of incorporating the strategies into the development plans by means of a variation. The social and affordable housing conditions can only be applied to planning applications made after the strategies have been incorporated into the development plans.

The housing strategy must provide for the existing and future housing needs of the area covered by the development plan and must set out how this will be achieved. The needs assessment would be based on a number of factors, including the current and future demand for housing generally, the existing and likely future needs of persons requiring social housing, the existing and likely future affordable housing needs having regard to economic trends, such as in house prices and disposable income, and the existing and likely future demand for private rented housing. The Act also requires planning authorities, in developing their housing strategies, to ensure that policies and objectives are in place which will counteract undue social segregation in housing developments between people of different social backgrounds. Up to 20% of all land zoned for residential development may be reserved to meet the identified needs for social and affordable housing. Different percentages can be specified for different areas subject to not exceeding 20% or the general percentage specified in the housing strategy if lower. However, to avoid undue social segregation a local authority can decide that no social and/or affordable housing requirement or a lower requirement should apply in a particular area. Under the Planning Acts, planning control is an executive function of the planning authority, vested in the manager. This function can be delegated to officials of the authority including directors of services, in accordance with local government legislation. In considering planning applications, a local authority is required to have regard to the provisions of the development plan including the social and affordable housing provisions the adoption of which is a reserved function.