Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 May 2018
488. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the extent to which he remains assured that adequate suitable and serviced building lands remain available in each local authority area to facilitate house building in line with requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20088/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 44 and 53 on today's Order Paper, which broadly sets out the position in relation to this matter.
In addition, while the delivery of social and affordable homes will, of course, rely significantly on the State developing the full potential of its existing residential land bank, I am cognisant of the fact that some local authorities may need to acquire land, in order to deliver on their targets under Rebuilding Ireland. My Department is working with local authorities in relation to their proposals for bringing their land banks forward for residential development, and identifying their needs for future land requirements.
With regard to housing delivery more broadly, the Residential Land Availability Survey 2014, published in February 2015, determined the location and quantity of lands that may be regarded as being undeveloped and available for residential development purposes at 31 March 2014 in each local authority area. This survey measured the total amount of lands, whether owned privately or by the local authority, that have been identified for housing development in the various local authority development plans and that are the highest priority for development.
The area of such lands amounted to 17,434 hectares which, given a range of densities appropriate to whether the areas are in small villages or larger towns and cities and as determined by the relevant local authorities, could support the construction of over 414,000 dwellings. On that basis, I am satisfied that adequate lands are available to facilitate residential development in line with Rebuilding Ireland. The Residential Land Availability Survey 2014 is available on my Department’s website at: http://www.environ.ie/planning/residential-land-availability/residential-land-availability-survey.
A further Residential Land Availability Survey will be undertaken in due course.
