The Land Development Agency (LDA) was established on an interim basis in September 2018, by way of an Establishment Order made under the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act 1971. The Land Development Agency Act 2021 was recently signed into law and, on enactment, the LDA will be established as a commercial State agency.
Under Section 52 of the Land Development Agency Act 2021, the LDA shall furnish a report to Government every 2 years detailing how public lands are being utilised and identifying any lands which may be appropriate for the LDAs objectives. On receipt of such a report, the Government can direct a relevant public body to dispose of its land to the LDA. The first report to be provided by the LDA to Government is required to be submitted within 12 months of the coming into operation of Section 52, which is expected to be commenced in Autumn 2021.
There is ongoing engagement between the LDA and my Department in relation to the identification of relevant public lands suitable for the delivery of substantial additional housing in locations with a significant housing need.