Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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853. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government when the new national planning framework will be finished and implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46785/15]

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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In December Minister Kelly and I published a roadmap document entitled Towards a National Planning Framework - A Roadmap for the delivery of the National Planning Framework 2016.This followed Government approval (2014) to 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. It is my intention that the publication of this important document will (i) signal that the preparation of the NPF is commencing, (ii) provide information as to the approach and timetable proposed (iii) outline matters to be considered and (iv) indicate how persons and organisations can become involved in the process.

I intend that the new National Planning Framework, will be a high-level nationally focused document, which 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.

The roadmap document sets out general arrangements for the preparation of the NPF, which will follow on from the establishment of a dedicated work team in my Department and which will also involve the establishment of a high-level cross-departmental steering group, to oversee the process, supported by appropriate public consultation and stakeholder engagement arrangements in 2016.

I anticipate the publication of a draft framework during the third quarter of 2016 with the final version expected by year end and possibly into Q1 2017.