Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 1378: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if teams with responsibility for the negotiation and successful conclusion of Part V agreements have been established by local authorities; if he has placed a requirement on local authorities to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2112/08]

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 1380: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, where written guidance for developers on Part V policy exists, it encourages a joint approach by developers and housing associations for the development, delivery and management of social and affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2177/08]

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 1381: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department has provided local authorities with detailed guidance on Part V pre-planning discussions; if this guidance emphasises the importance of discussion as a prerequisite to any application for residential development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2179/08]

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 1388: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of local authorities that have produced and disseminated written guidance for developers on Part V policy for Part V output and pre-planning negotiation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2191/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1378, 1380, 1381 and 1388 together.

Since the introduction of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, my Department has issued a range of implementation guidelines for local authorities. In addition, the Affordable Homes Partnership (AHP), working in conjunction with my Department, published a Resource Pack on concluding Part V agreements in 2006. The Pack, which was updated in 2007, was developed on foot of a series of workshops held for local authority personnel, professionals involved in the Part V process and the Irish Home Builders Association (IHBA). It provides guidance on the various issues arising and includes a structured step by step framework to assist in reaching Part V agreements. In terms of reaching early agreements, it emphasises the important role of meaningful pre-planning discussions between developers and local authorities.

Copies of the Resource Pack have been disseminated widely to all those involved in the implementation of the Part V process, including the IHBA. The need for further guidance tailored to local circumstances is a matter for individual local authorities to consider.

In addition, in the context of regional seminars for local authorities held by my Department and the AHP, the importance of ensuring that authorities make arrangements to support the efficient operation of Part V, involving both their housing and planning functions, has been highlighted. The specific arrangements in this regard are a matter for individual local authority managers, as part of their overall responsibility for the management of their authority's staff and other resources.

My Department has also encouraged local authorities to take a proactive role in facilitating the involvement of the voluntary and co-operative sector in the provision of housing under Part V. It is important that this is taken forward in a planned manner in each local authority area, in the context of the preparation and implementation of Housing Action Plans, which are the vehicle through which authorities plan for the delivery of housing programmes at local level.

The range of measures outlined has played an important part in supporting delivery under Part V which, in 2006, increased by 60% on the previous year. I expect that full year data for 2007 will, in due course, show another strong Part V performance.