Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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982. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to outline the progress of the national planning framework, which is integral to balanced development on a regional basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20854/15]

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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The Government recently approved the commencement of the preparation of a new National Planning Framework to act as a new long-term national planning and regional development framework as a successor to the 2002 National Spatial Strategywhich was Ireland’s first national strategic spatial planning framework.

I intend that the new National Planning Framework will be developed to ensure the optimal development of the country as a whole while maximising Ireland’s economic recovery and on-going growth at national, regional and local level, thus further contributing to sustainable national recovery through an inclusive and participative approach with all relevant national, regional and local interests and acting as the strategic context for:

1) planning in Ireland at national level, in relation to relevant Government policies and investment concerning national and regional development with particular emphasis on economic development and investment in housing, water services, transport, communications, energy, health and education infrastructure;

2) development, by the three new regional assemblies, of their new regional spatial and economic strategies; and

3) planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála discharging their statutory planning functions.

Arrangements are currently being put in place to advance the Government’s decision in this regard. I will make a further statement in the near future on broader arrangements in relation to the preparation of the Framework.