James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 532: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on issuing a new directive to county councils to provide for, specifically set aside and zone lands for community-based nursing homes and long-stay facilities in new residential developments similar to the regulation requiring provision of crèche sites and school sites in county council development plans due to the fact that nursing home providers are having difficulty locating suitable sites due to competition from property developers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29419/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Section 10 (2) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 states that the provision, or facilitation of the provision, of services for the community is a mandatory objective for development plans. Part III of the First Schedule to the Act states that facilities for the elderly is an objective which may be provided for in development plans.

My Department issued Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Development Plans in June 2007. The Guidelines state that planning authorities must respond to the circumstances of their own local communities when formulating development plans and emphasise the importance of consultation with the public and relevant Government departments and agencies in the preparation of development plans.

The Minister for Health and Children is a statutory consultee in relation to the preparation of both Development Plans and Local Area Plans by planning authorities. That Minister would therefore have the opportunity to submit any forward planning requirements in relation to the provision of nursing homes for consideration by planning authorities within the consultation process.

My Department is currently finalising draft Sustainable New Residential Development Guidelines for Planning Authorities, which will issue for public consultation in the near future. These will update and replace the 1999 Residential Density Guidelines and will include, inter alia, guidance on the need for integrated community facilities in new residential developments. All comments and submissions on the draft Guidelines will be welcome and carefully considered.