Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 January 2019
64. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the work of the Land Development Agency to date; when it expects to deliver its first sites; if the primary legislation regarding the Land Development Agency has been drafted; when he expects the role of permanent chairperson to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1474/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Land Development Agency (LDA) was established on 13 September 2018 by way of Establishment Order under the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act 1971. The Agency is a commercial State body and national centre of expertise, working with and supporting local authorities, public bodies and other interests, to harness public lands as catalysts to stimulate regeneration and wider investment and to achieve compact, sustainable growth, with a particular emphasis on complex regeneration projects and the provision of affordable housing. In line with its mandate, the LDA will retain experienced staff with extensive skills and experience in project management, finance, planning, development, law and procurement and will provide professional services to master-plan key sites/areas for development in key urban areas, in partnership with local authorities and other state bodies.
On establishment, the Agency had access to an initial tranche of 8 sites that have near term delivery potential for 3,000 new homes. Significant preparatory work is underway in relation to these sites, with feasibility, planning and other preparatory works already initiated. Construction activity is envisaged to commence on the first homes in 2019 for delivery in 2020, pending grant of planning permissions.
The LDA is also developing a strong pipeline of additional publically owned sites. In this regard, Departments were requested, in respect of lands owned directly and by agencies under their aegis, to identify additional lands over and above the initial tranche of eight sites published when the Agency was launched. The LDA is undertaking an in-depth analysis of the information that has been provided in response to this request, with a view to building a longer term pipeline of sites.
A detailed business plan for the LDA is currently being developed and, once approved by the LDA Board, will provide additional information on its long-term delivery programme. Development of LDA managed lands will make a substantial contribution to the achievement of wider Government targets for housing delivery in general and social housing specifically, as set out in Rebuilding Ireland, enhancing supply, aiding the moderation in increases in housing costs and enabling new sources of affordable housing supply, including for cost rental accommodation.
A general scheme of a Bill to establish the LDA on a primary legislative footing is expected to be published in the coming weeks, with pre-legislative scrutiny to follow shortly thereafter in parallel with the drafting of the Bill. On enactment, a permanent Chairperson and Board will be appointed.
