Since the establishment of the OPR in April 2019 and pursuant to section 31AM(1) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as inserted by the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2018, the office has responsibility for the evaluation of the making or varying of development plans. This is an independent function of the office, which also has a statutory function to issue advice, where relevant, to the Minister or Minister of State in respect of matters relating to the making or varying of development plans. In r…

In the first instance, the role of the OPR is to ensure our shared vision, as set out in the national planning framework, NPF, our regional guidelines and the county development plans, runs right through in a consistent manner and is delivering on Government policy. Subject to a recommendation by the Mahon tribunal, the office was established to ensure Government policy is, in fact, running through to local authorities. It is not long - 2008, in fact - since we had enough zoned land in the country to accommodate an…

I cannot speak on matters that are sub judice or are before the courts. I must be very careful in that regard. The legislation underpinning our role as Ministers and the role of the 31 local authorities is very clear and we are following what is prescribed. It is up to the courts to interpret that subsequently. In regard to our shared vision of the relevant plans that flow through Government, something that is very clear from all our engagement with local authorities is that if land is serviced and has infrastructu…

Housing for All sets out a projected supply of affordable and cost-rental homes between 2022 and 2030, with an average of approximately 6,000 affordable homes to be made available for purchase or rent. Affordable homes for purchase will be made available through a combination of the first home scheme, the local authority affordable purchase scheme and LDA delivery. A housing delivery action plan prepared by each local authority will underpin delivery to 2026. The four Dublin authorities submitted the first iteratio…

I thank Deputy Bruton for his question. On the LDA, a significant number of homes have been targeted. There is currently staging under way in Dundrum, Hacketstown, Skerries, Castlelands, Balbriggan and Cherry Orchard. Negotiations regarding other sites in Dublin are due to be completed shortly. I understand phase 1 has been completed. A majority of the houses will be affordable. It is key to deliver those for our citizens. With regard to the scale in some areas, almost 600 homes have full planning permission in Sha…

I understand the regulations are back from the County and City Management Association and will be completed this month. It is not correct to state affordable homes will not be delivered this year, because they will be delivered under Project Tosaigh through the LDA.

If Deputy Ó Broin gave me a moment in which to respond, it would be great. On Deputy Bruton's question on the 25% metric, we believe the proportion will be significantly higher. Project Tosaigh will inject more numbers. With regard to the local authorities, the Minister met representatives of all 31 local authorities, through the housing forum, to fast-track the delivery of key sites right across the country. I am aware that the LDA is working on several sites. From my engagement with the chief executive officer, I…

I thank the Civil Engagement Group for its motion, all the Senators who spoke on the motion and those in the Gallery for listening to the debate. In the first instance, I will outline where I am coming from in the debate. It is as someone who holds a weekly clinic in my home town of Mullingar and hears every week from many vulnerable people who are looking for sustainable housing solutions and are facing huge pressure from ever-increasing rents and the threat of rent increases. We are trying to combat that. I hear …

I thank all of the Senators for their remarks. Many points have been raised and I will address a few on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, and the Minister of State, Deputy Colm Brophy. I underline that the Government shares the concerns of Senators regarding the situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, and the plight of the Palestinian people. The Middle East peace process remains a key foreign policy priority for Ireland, including in the context of our term on the UN…

I am just taking notes.

I will not have anyone say that about me in the House. I am taking notes. I ask the Senator to have a bit of respect.

I thank Senator Boylan for raising this matter and providing me with the opportunity to address it on behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, who sends his apologies. I may not be able to answer some of the specific questions but I will refer them to the Minister of State. This is a very specific case. Emo Court is a neoclassical mansion designed by architect James Gandon and is a protected structure under RPS 412 of County Laois. It is recognise…

I again thank Senator Boylan for her remarks. The content of the information I was given from the OPW points clearly to the independent surveys that were carried out. I must revert to the Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW for the information sought by the Senator - I do not have it to hand - with regard to the recommendation regarding a prosecution. I will ask the Minister of State to revert to the Senator directly with that information.

I thank Senator Ahearn for raising this important issue and for his support for our local authorities. He rightly pointed out the great work they have done throughout the pandemic. It was a privilege to be in Tipperary County Council with the Senator to meet the management team and staff and note the vital work he is supporting in Tipperary to unlock the potential in many of its towns. Against the backdrop of the restart grants and outdoor spaces schemes to respond to the pandemic, in addition to the Community Call…

Again, I thank Senator Ahearn for his support for local authorities and for raising this important issue. A legacy of benchmarking was that every citizen who worked for a local authority or agency of the State got incremental rises that were not directly linked to productivity. That legacy has been tackled only in recent years, whereby the progressive social agreements with the Government have really built in productivity. On the Senator’s general point, on dealing with disciplinary issues and ensuring everyone get…

I welcome the opportunity to come before the House to discuss the recently published town centre first policy. We all have particular towns that are close to our hearts, places we wish to see grow and thrive. Unfortunately, many of our towns are in need of attention and action to improve their appearance and attraction. The aim of the town centre first policy is to address the problems of our towns and to provide a route to their regeneration. This policy, launched on 4 February in Moate, represents an important st…

There is.

I think it is available. It should be.

I will check with my office immediately.

I thank Deputies for their contributions. It has been very interesting and worthwhile to hear different perspectives from all sides of the House. Towns and villages are at the heart of many important administrative, social, community and recreational functions. They also support clusters of local services, have a significant share of homes and jobs and act as important and vital transport hubs. We want to ensure they remain resilient places, with vibrant, inclusive communities and a strong cultural and social fabri…