Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

To answer the Deputy's first question, it is not anticipated that the Minister will seek a further extension of that period. Any local authority and social and affordable housing proposals that are not commenced by the end of 2025 will revert to requiring the Part 8 approval by elected members in the normal manner. Second, we are all in agreement that anything we can do to accelerate the delivery of housing of all tenure types is essential, and that is what the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, has been doing in government with Housing for All. All of our efforts are focused on that. This is another measure to try to help accelerate that.

As for its efficacy and effectiveness, as of 30 December 2023, 30 housing developments have been progressed containing 995 residential units with accompanying site and newspaper notices already issued. The Department has requested a further update from local authorities on the use of the provisions in respect of the period up to 31 December 2023. It is expected that the use of provisions will increase during 2024, with commensurate levels of commencements and completions in due course. We can provide details of commencements and completions to the members, which are as up to date as possible, if that is useful.

There was also a point about elements of public engagement and feedback coming from communities around the provision of facilities and playgrounds. There are planning guidelines for local authorities. It is accepted that provision of facilities in all new developments of social housing should not just be about trying to deliver units. We should be trying to deliver sustainable communities throughout the country. That is a vital component of this as well.