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Gaeltacht Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2020

Tuesday, 6 October 2020

Ceisteanna (338, 339)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

338. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the criteria which apply regarding the sale and allocation of new houses and housing developments in Gaeltacht areas to ensure the Irish language is maintained and protected in these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28360/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

339. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if it is compulsory in all Gaeltacht areas that a language impact assessment accompany planning applications for new housing developments; the way in which such an impact assessment should be prepared; the legislation, regulations and guidelines which informs same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28361/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 338 and 339 together.

Under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 as amended, a planning authority must notify the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (currently the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts , Gaeltacht, Sports and Media) and Údarás na Gaeltachta, to invite their views in relation to planning applications for developments which, in the opinion of the authority might materially affect the linguistic and cultural heritage of the Gaeltacht, including the promotion of Irish as the community language.

Compliance with these regulations is a matter for the relevant local authorities. The decision to grant or refuse permission in such cases, and to assign conditions in the case of such planning applications where permission is granted, is ultimately a matter for the relevant planning authority.

The ongoing implementation of the language planning process has a statutory footing under the Gaeltacht Act 2012. As set out in the National Planning Framework (NPF), published in 2018, the language planning process, as prescribed in the Gaeltacht Act 2012, represents the primary driver in support of the commitment to the achievement of the objectives set out in the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010 to 2030. Objective 29 of the NPF makes provision for supporting the implementation of language plans in Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, Gaeltacht Service Towns and Irish Language Networks.

In addition, the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended, (the Act) sets out mandatory objectives for local authorities, which must be addressed in the drafting of their statutory County Development Plan which governs local development policies. Section 10(2) of the Act includes a requirement that, where there is a Gaeltacht area within the planning authority’s territory, the development plan must include provisions and objectives for “the protection of the linguistic and cultural heritage of the Gaeltacht including the promotion of Irish as the community language”.

To provide further guidance in preparing appropriate policies, my Department produced ‘Development Plans, Guidelines for Planning Authorities’, to address this mandatory objective of the Act. These guidelines refer to linguistic and cultural heritage and the needs of the community in land-use terms for housing, community facilities, employment, tourism and design, including advertising and signage. For example, the Galway County Development Plan 2015-2021 incorporated a subsequent Variation to include a specific Gaeltacht Area Plan. Individual development plans may also oblige applicants for planning permission to submit certain particulars or information to accompany proposed development in Gaeltacht areas, such as assessments of the linguistic impact of the development that is proposed, in order for the proposal to be properly assessed against relevant policies of the development plan.

Since April 2019, the assessment of all local authority development plans and local area plans is undertaken by the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR). The oversight role of the OPR includes ensuring consistency with relevant national or regional policies and addressing all relevant mandatory objectives for County Development Plans, including the provision of Gaeltacht-specific objectives, where required.

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