Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

A review of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, undertaken by my Department in 2002 in consultation with a wide range of interested bodies including local authorities and representatives of the house building industry, professional institutes and voluntary housing providers, concluded that greater flexibility in the operation of the Part V mechanism was required. Measures to achieve this were contained in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2002, which introduced a range of flexible options for compliance with Part V.

I am satisfied that the approach adopted has had a positive impact on the operation of Part V arrangements. From a position where just 46 homes were delivered under Part V in 2002, delivery has increased significantly since then, with close to 2,200 social and affordable homes coming on stream under the Part V mechanism in 2006. In total, up to the end of June 2007, over 5,300 social and affordable houses had been acquired and in excess of 5,000 units were in progress at that stage on foot of Part V agreements with developers.

I am satisfied that the Part V mechanism is operating effectively, evidenced by its significantly increased delivery of both social and affordable housing. While I have no plans to amend the legislation, I will continue to monitor closely the workings of the Part V mechanism to ensure they continue to meet the needs of the target groups for which they are designed.

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