Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to proposals made to some local authorities to vary development plans in order to allow retirement villages be built; if he has considered the possibility of such developments adding to the surplus in land zoned for housing development; the guidelines available to local authorities regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20184/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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In accordance with Part II of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2010 the making, reviewing and varying of development plans are reserved functions of the elected members of a planning authority. Section 10(2) provides, as a mandatory objective in development plans, for the integration of the planning and sustainable development of the area with the social, community and cultural requirements of the area and its population. Part III of the First Schedule to the Acts includes facilities for the elderly as an objective which may be provided for in development plans.

My Department issued Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Development Plans in June 2007 to assist planning authorities in carrying out their responsibilities in these regards. 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. My Department also issued Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas in May 2009 to promote high quality, sustainable residential development at all levels of the urban hierarchy, including towns and villages. The Guidelines provide specific advice on planning for sustainable neighbourhoods including for healthcare facilities, indicating that consideration should also be given to the variety of residential needs including the needs of the elderly.

It is a matter for planning authorities in the first instance to consider whether they wish to vary their development plan, having due regard to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area and to Government policy, as appropriate. As a consultee in respect of all development plans, I make my views known as appropriate through the statutory variation process, taking account of the legislative and policy framework including policies articulated in the foregoing guidelines.