Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
2885. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount and location of lands that have been transferred to the land development agency to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32615/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Land Development Agency (LDA) has been established on an interim basis by statutory instrument under the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act 1971. The Establishment Order is an initial and enabling measure to get the LDA up and running as quickly as possible, ahead of the provision of a more comprehensive primary legislative basis for the Agency and its intended scope of powers and operations.
The Government has approved the General Scheme of the LDA Bill for priority drafting. It is intended that the LDA Bill will be brought before the Oireachtas later this year.
On establishment, the Agency had access to an initial tranche of 8 sites – listed below - that have near term delivery potential for 3,000 new homes. The LDA is also currently engaged in the progression of a number of other sites with potential for significant housing output.
1. Central Mental Hospital Site, Dundrum
2. Hampton, Balbriggan
3. Hacketstown, Skerries
4. Devoy Barracks, Naas
5. Former Meath Hospital, Dublin City Centre
6. St. Kevin's Hospital, Cork
7. Columb Barracks, Mullingar
8. Dyke Road, Galway
While ownership of the sites will not formally transfer to the LDA until the primary legislation is enacted, the LDA is entering into pre-sale agreements with the land owners, as appropriate, to ensure that it has full access to the sites to carry out necessary pre-construction activities.
Significant preparatory work is already underway in relation to the initial sites, with feasibility, planning and other preparatory works already initiated. Construction activity is envisaged to commence on the first homes by mid-2020, subject to the grant of planning permissions.
