Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)
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162. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will make a formal announcement regarding South Dublin County Council's request to add local area plan lands at Clonburris into the existing Clonburris strategic development zone to create a larger strategic development zone which can be planned better in terms of phasing community need and infrastructure alongside housing provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2401/16]

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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In December 2015, my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, brought a proposal to Government from South Dublin County Council in relation to amending the existing Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) at Balgaddy-Clonburris to incorporate the land referred to in the question and the Government approved the revised SDZ designation. The revised designation of this strategic site, straddling rail and road accesses to the west of Dublin City, will facilitate the preparation of a new, comprehensive and joined-up planning scheme by South Dublin County Council addressing the housing, commercial, transport, educational, retailing, community and recreational development needs of this fast growing area together with the required supporting local infrastructure and community facilities in a sustainable manner.  The extended SDZ will now cover c.280 hectares and represents an opportunity for the development of an integrated and sustainable community that is planned in a holistic manner.

The revised SDZ will also assist in bringing forward development proposals that will contribute to addressing the shortage of housing in the Dublin area, with potential for around 8,000 homes at a location which, through carefully phased development and expanded suburban rail and bus services and opening of mothballed station facilities, can take place in a manner that will not add to existing congestion in the area. I understand that the next step will be the preparation of a statutory Planning Scheme by South Dublin County Council under Section 168 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, including full public participation, and I await the outcome of that process, which I also understand is advancing.