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Housing Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 November 2021

Thursday, 11 November 2021

Ceisteanna (85, 101)

Ciaran Cannon

Ceist:

85. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the milestones for measuring progress which he has set for the Land Development Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55166/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

101. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the milestones for measuring progress which he has set for the Land Development Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55051/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 101 together.

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 was recently signed in law and, on commencement, the LDA will be established as a commercial State agency.

The LDA will be subject to various provisions under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, as well as its statutory provisions under the Land Development Agency Act 2021. Oversight of the LDA, as a commercial state body, will be by way of a Shareholder Letter of Expectation (SLE). The SLE will include the objectives to be met by the LDA, the expected achievements of the Agency and the return expected by the shareholders, which will be the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The LDA will also be required to produce a five year business and financial plan which will outline the LDA's strategy, its planned investments and appropriate financial targets. 

Under Section 9 of the LDA Act, the LDA will also be required to report to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on its progress with regards to the achievement of the purposes of the Act on 31 March 2024, and every five years thereafter, as committed to under the Programme for Government. This will be in addition to the Annual Report on the performance of its functions to be published each year by the Agency under Section 48 of the Act. 

Additionally, under Section 52 of the LDA Act, 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. 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 of the Act. 

In relation to housing delivery, the Housing for All strategy allocated €1 billion to the LDA through Project Tosaigh to unlock stalled developments and accelerate the delivery of affordable homes, with a specific target of 5,000 affordable homes to 2026, the majority being cost rental. Consistent with other Housing for All stakeholders and targets, the Cabinet Committee on Housing (chaired by the Taoiseach) and the Delivery Group of Secretary Generals will monitor the progress of the LDA in delivering this target.

Furthermore, the LDA participates on the High Level Affordable Housing Delivery Group, which was established by Department to draw together the key stakeholders responsible for delivering on the affordable housing interventions as detailed in the Housing for All strategy.

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