Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017
509. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the steps he will take to give Dublin City Council greater flexibility in deciding the levels of social housing in the Poolbeg strategic development zone, SDZ. [20844/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra510. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the steps he will take to allow higher levels of social housing in the Poolbeg strategic development zone, SDZ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20845/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra511. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on whether 10% social housing in the Poolbeg strategic development zone, SDZ, is adequate to make a meaningful contribution to reducing housing waiting lists in Dublin city; and the steps he will take to ensure that Poolbeg West SDZ can make a more meaningful contribution to social housing provision in Dublin city. [20846/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 509 to 511, inclusive, together.
Delivering extra housing supply across all tenures is agreed by all stakeholders as the key to addressing the challenges in the housing sector. The Government took the decision to designate Poolbeg West as a Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) because of its potential to deliver a large amount of extra homes in the centre of our capital and on an excellent site. The process has moved forward with Dublin City Council’s publication of a draft planning scheme for the area under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.
As part of the public consultation exercise on the preparation of the draft planning scheme, my Department has indicated that the planning scheme could include a policy mechanism where, on an agreed basis, over and above the statutory requirement that 10% of the housing yield of the site be reserved for social housing under Part V of the Act, there would be delivery of up to another 10% of its housing yield, which would be accessible in economic terms for households on average industrial wages, in return for flexibility around the overall development yield on the site.
My Department's submission also pointed towards a number of delivery models, if such an agreement could be brokered between the owners of the site and the local authority and supported by my Department. These models include the potential role of the voluntary housing sector in participating in a joint venture type approach to facilitate the ultimate development of the site which could deliver an increment of housing over and above the 10% social housing requirement in the form of key worker housing as outlined above.
I believe that it is crucial that people who need social housing and key workers who cannot afford high rents can avail of housing in areas like Poolbeg. My Department will therefore continue to work with all stakeholders, including the City Council, housing providers and the local community, in developing and resourcing the mixed-tenure model above and in line with the normal financial safeguards.
