Written answers

Tuesday, 28 February 2012

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Local Government Reform

8:00 pm

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 472: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will affirm his commitment to working with local government and other community development and enterprise stakeholders to ensure that a recovering economy will result in an even distribution of opportunity; his views that there is a particular need to target in an integrated way urban areas which face particular problems resulting from both the economic downturn and investments in the past, problems which did not facilitate the development of sustainable communities capable of benefiting from the period of apparent prosperity or coping with the subsequent downturn; if he will agree that major regeneration programmes such as in Ballymun and Limerick assist in addressing these deficits; if accordingly he will commit to developing and implementing the Planning Aid model, as developed by the Royal Town Planning Institute, RTPI, in the UK, and by Community Technical Aid in Ireland, as an integral element of the regeneration process in these communities initially, and ultimately across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10708/12]

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The Programme for Government includes a commitment to a fundamental reorganisation of local government structures with the aim of bringing about stronger, more cohesive, local government with greater capacity to address challenges, maximise efficiency and promote economic and social development. Wider policy proposals will be brought to Government in the near future for an action programme on local government, with particular attention being given to strengthening local government structures generally at regional, county and sub-county levels and expanding the role of local government. The programme will also reflect work under way in relation to alignment of local and community development with local government and local government efficiency implementation.

The community and voluntary sector has a vital role to play in partnership with local communities, State agencies and local authorities in developing sustainable communities where local enterprise initiatives can thrive and develop into the future. Initiatives generated in the community often address a variety of issues that influence job creation both directly and indirectly. Under the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) the Government supports the participation and empowerment of local communities in tackling disadvantage. This Programme targets 80% of programme budgets towards the provision and coordination of education and employment supports to these communities, with the remainder focusing on access and uptake of services and promoting the engagement of disadvantaged communities with policy and practice. To this end some €55 million will be invested in our communities through the LCDP in 2012.

This Government remains committed to the regeneration of the estates and communities in our most disadvantaged areas. Despite the current adverse economic conditions and consequent Exchequer constraints, I am continuing to prioritise funding for regeneration within the overall social housing programme. Last year alone my Department provided €118 million for regeneration, representing 25% of the total housing capital investment programme.

As regard planning, transparency has always been an essential part of the planning system. Insofar as the planning application process is concerned there is a facility for the public/third parties to make submissions, and to appeal the decision of the planning authority to An Bord Pleanála. In relation to development by a local authority the Planning Act and Regulations similarly make provision for input from the public, whether in the case of decisions made by the elected members of the local authority, or, as is the case where the development would require assessment under the Environmental Impact Assessment or Habitats Directives, An Bord Pleanála. The forward planning process also makes provision for statutory consultation with the public in relation to the preparation of development plans and local area plans .

Also, my Department is advancing a significant programme of reform in the planning area to support proper planning and sustainable development and economic renewal. The 2002 National Spatial Strategy (NSS) is a twenty-year planning framework designed to achieve a better balance of social, economic and physical development and population growth between regions, including the urban structure of Gateway cities and towns, Hub towns and other towns and villages. A comprehensive review of implementation of the NSS was undertaken during 2010, culminating in the publication in October 2010 of the NSS Update and Outlook Report (available at environ.ie); this addresses a range of issues relevant to urban areas, including the vitality of city and town centres.

In addition, the adoption of updated Regional Planning Guidelines in 2010 for the twelve-year period to 2022, and legislative requirements under the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 to include new Core Strategies in development plans, are further implementing the NSS within the forward-planning process and ensuring an appropriate policy focus on the importance of urban areas, including city and town centres, for the long term proper planning and sustainable development of the country.

My Department published statutory Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas (Cities, Towns and Villages) in December 2008. The Guidelines are accompanied by an Urban Design manual which sets out practical examples and best practice.

Furthermore, I intend shortly to finalise draft Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Retail Planning on foot of the submissions received during the public consultation process. These Guidelines are aimed, inter alia, at promoting and supporting the vitality and viability of city and town centres, and also highlight the options open to planning authorities for the operations of Business Improvement Districts as provided by the Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006. I also intend to publish a consultation draft of planning guidelines on Local Area Plans later this year which will also address matters relating to the vitality of city and town centres.

I am, in addition, working in conjunction with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport on a Manual for Streets which will address design guidance and standards for streetscapes and related shared space, and will be guided by universal design and accessibility principles.

I am therefore satisfied that this policy and legislative framework, together with the suite of existing and proposed planning guidelines, will ensure effective delivery of a sustainable policy, but I will continue to keep under review the need for any further provisions in this regard.

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