Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 196: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the densities of developments being granted by local authorities in provincial areas; his further views on whether high density developments are more suited to town centres, or large urban areas; his views on whether there is currently too high an emphasis in the marketplace on the provision of small apartment units, that do not provide for life-long occupancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34971/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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A wide range of policies and measures have been put in place to ensure that the unprecedented rate of housing development in Ireland is planned for in a manner that supports the creation of sustainable communities within a high quality environment, as well as providing affordable options for those seeking housing.

Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Residential Density were published in 1999. These Guidelines set out the basis on which locations appropriate for higher residential densities may be identified, the range of varying densities appropriate to different locations and the controls and safeguards to be addressed in promoting such development. The purpose of the guidelines is to assist in achieving high quality residential density of a suitable scale at appropriate locations, in conjunction with improved public transport systems.

These guidelines are currently being reviewed and updated to take account of changing population and settlement patterns and the extensive experience built up since the introduction of the 1999 guidelines in the design, assessment and development of higher density proposals.

In order to inform the revised guidelines on residential densities my Department commissioned a research study into apartment size and space standards earlier this year, with a specific focus on the need to make apartment living more attractive for family living. The study is available from the 'publications' section of my Department's website at www.environ.ie.

A new Housing Policy Framework: Building Sustainable Communities was approved by the Government and published in December 2005. This sets out an agenda for an integrated package of housing policy initiatives. These include supporting higher densities and compact urban settlement through quality design in the creation of new homes, new urban spaces and new neighbourhoods.

Furthermore, with regard to the sustainable development of smaller towns around the country, my Department's Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines which were published last year, recognise that the development of the rural environs of major urban areas, including the gateways and hubs identified in the NSS and county and other larger towns, needs to be carefully managed to ensure their orderly development and successful functioning into the future.

I am confident that the continuing implementation of the policies outlined above will have a positive influence on bringing about better urban design and sustainable development into the future.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 197: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if having regard to the provision of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, he will require local authorities to enter into detailed agreements with developers at pre-planning stage in relation to the delivery of social and affordable housing, as per each local authority housing strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34972/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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It is a matter for planning authorities and developers to negotiate Part V agreements as an integral part of the planning process for residential developments. In making agreement with developers, authorities must have regard to the social and affordable housing needs identified in their housing strategy.

The intention of the Part V legislation is to provide for a two-way process involving the planning authority and the applicant seeking planning permission. Section 247 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides for pre-planning consultations. The need to undertake such consultations, involving both the planning and housing sections of authorities, has been communicated to local authorities on a number of occasions since the introduction of Part V; most recently, in a Part V resource pack developed by the Affordable Homes Partnership in conjunction with my Department.

While planning authorities have been strongly advised to engage in pre-planning consultation with applicants, and where possible, to reach an agreement in principle prior to the submission of a planning application, the conclusion of a detailed final agreement is subject to the granting of planning permission, where it is included as a specific planning condition. However, pre-planning agreements should ensure that final agreements are concluded quickly.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 198: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if having regard to the provision of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2006, he will take steps to ensure that local authorities do not concentrate social housing units in any one part of a development in view of the requirement to achieve social integration, and local authorities be encouraged to ensure that social and affordable units are spread throughout all developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34973/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Planning and Development Acts 2000-2006 require planning authorities, in developing their housing strategies, to ensure that policies and objectives are in place, which will counteract undue social segregation in housing developments. The manner in which local authorities avail of Part V arrangements for the provision of social and affordable housing is determined by them based on the needs for such housing identified in their housing strategies.

In finalising a Part V agreement involving an alternative option to on-site land, the authority must consider, inter alia, whether such agreement will counteract undue segregation.