Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 246: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress his Department has made in its discussions with the local authorities regarding the incentive to zone land exclusively for community use and his views on whether people would support the idea on this basis, but if it was for private development would not support it; his views on whether this is the way to deal with such matters and to keep the price low; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22156/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I am not aware of discussions between my Department and local authorities, as referred to in the Question.

The zoning of land for particular purposes is a function of local authorities within the development plan process, as set out in the Planning and Development Act 2000. My Department actively engages with local authorities on a range of initiatives towards community improvements. Local authorities will generally have regard to potential financial implications of zoning exclusively for community use, and may prefer to adopt an integrated approach to the planning requirements of an area in consultation with the relevant stakeholders.

To assist local authorities in this process, I recently published Draft Guidelines on Development Plans for Planning Authorities for public consultation which set out, inter alia, the need for development plans to include objectives for the integration of the planning and sustainable development of the area with the social, cultural and community requirements of the area and its population. The closing date for comments and submissions on the Draft Guidelines is 21 July 2006.