Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy made reference to the Clonburris strategic development zone. The Deputy is aware that on 15 December 2015, the lands were designated as SDZ and that South Dublin County Council has prepared a draft planning scheme. This consists of a written statement around the plans indicating the type and extent of development to be permitted in the Clonburris SDZ, together with proposals relating to the design of the development, transportation, provision of services, the minimisation of any adverse impacts on the environment and the provision of amenities, facilities and services for the community. This draft scheme is currently subject to public consultation, which will conclude very shortly on 3 November 2017. When we see what comes from the public consultation hopefully it can arrive at a mix - the Deputy had suggested that. This would be welcome. We could then see exactly how we could manage to put that in place.

If we look at what we have achieved in terms of the SDZ for Poolbeg and the Ringsend area, the planning scheme was approved by Dublin City Council on 2 October. I am committed to working with the council to deliver the social and affordable units on that plan. The mixed tenure is, of course, very important to everything we are trying to achieve as a Government. On foot of a material amendment, 900, or nearly 26%, of the 3,500 new homes on the SDZ lands will be delivered as social and affordable houses. It was looking at a 10% or 15% mix within that, but of the 15% affordable housing it might be more appropriate to deliver some of those as social housing, especially for older people. Again, as we build homes we must ensure that we protect and regenerate new communities. It is intended that an agreement for those additional 550 new homes, with confirmed funding, would be entered into between the city council, the receiver and my Department prior to the commencement of the development, the majority of which will be earmarked for affordable housing with some for social housing. There will be an agreement between those stakeholders, with confirmed funding behind it.

See this speech in context