Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 529: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the locations currently being considered by the affordable homes partnership to develop social and affordable housing in Dublin City and County; the ownership of the lands in question in each case; the timeframe involved in each case in terms of starting development under the affordable homes partnership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23741/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Affordable Homes Partnership, established in August 2005, has been assigned responsibility for, inter alia, taking steps to bring forward additional land in the Dublin area for housing development, including land that, although not currently zoned for housing, may be suitable for that purpose. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has issued guidelines in relation to the exercise of this function by the Partnership; and further guidelines for planning authorities, designed to support the outcome of the Partnership's work on this initiative, are currently under consideration.

The Partnership published advertisements in November 2005 inviting interested parties to come forward with proposals for the provision and development of lands mainly for affordable housing. I understand that the Partnership has identified a number of proposals which it considers would be appropriate from a planning point of view and is now engaging with the sponsors of these, with a view to concluding agreements which will secure the delivery of a significant affordable housing yield on the lands in question.

It is expected that the Partnership will conclude this process in relation to a number of sites in the next few weeks and, where necessary, make recommendations to the relevant planning authorities in relation to any appropriate variations to their Development Plans that may be required. Decisions on the making of recommendations in relation to individual sites are a matter for the Board of the Affordable Homes Partnership. Decisions on any consequential Development Plan variations that may be required will be taken up by the planning authorities concerned, taking account of the relevant guidelines referred to above.