Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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37. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which he expects to be in a position to implement in full the aspects of the programme for Government relevant to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18463/16]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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113. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his priorities for the implementation of the aspects of the programme for Government relevant to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18775/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 113 together.

There is a significant number of objectives in A Programme for a Partnership Governmentrelevant to my remit. My Department has reviewed the programme and has commenced work on the implementation of priority actions; with those due within the first 100 days well underway.

One of the more urgent challenges facing my Department is the need to address issues relating to housing and homelessness and, drawing on the work of the Oireachtas Committee on Housing and Homelessness, an “Action Plan for Housing” will be published next month which will directly address many of the commitments in relation to housing contained in the Government Programme. The Action Plan will be subject to key targets and deadlines and regular Cabinet review.

Other priorities for my Department, which are included as Year 1 Actions, include finalising a new National Planning Framework to replace the National Spatial Strategy and commissioning a “root and branch” review of the planning system with the aim of reducing uncertainty and improving efficiencies within the planning processes.

In addition, as part of the next wave of local government reform, I plan to consult widely with all relevant stakeholders and prepare a report for Government and for the Oireachtas, by mid-2017, on potential measures to boost local government. This will ensure that local government funding, structures and responsibilities strengthen local democracy.

I am committed to pursuing each of the aspects of the Programme for Government that are relevant to my Department. In addition to the commitments in the Government Programme, my Department will also be progressing a number of actions on water-related issues in the coming months.