Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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827. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if the process of reviewing the 2007 Planning Guidelines on Development Plans, with particular reference to whether the process of enhancing the guidance for gaeltacht areas has commenced, and if so, if he will provide an update. [14887/15]

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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My Department’s statutory Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Development Plans(June, 2007) continue to provide a sound basis for planning authorities when preparing and implementing their development plans. I intend to publish a draft update of these Guidelines for public consultation during 2015 taking account of, inter alia, the changed wider legislative and policy context in which development plans have to operate. This draft update will also be considered against the backdrop of EU environmental legislation, planning legislation and local government reform in Ireland, as the development plan process requires a plan-led, evidenced based rationale which drives and supports sustainable development.My Department will consider the scope for enhancing the existing extensive guidance therein relating to Gaeltacht areas. My Department’s statutory Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Local Area Plans(June, 2013) on the preparation of local authority local area plans, together with an accompanying non-statutory Manual for Local Area Plans, are also key documents as they are aimed at bringing about higher standards in the preparation, presentation and implementation of local area plans and ensuring that such plans both reflect the needs of local communities, including Gaeltacht areas, and comply with national legislative and policy requirements.