Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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137. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a 2015 NDFA project (details supplied); his views on whether this project violates his Department's guidelines relating to social mix; if he will make public the design brief that has been supplied to the chosen architects; the proposals for local consolations if these developments will be subject to fast-track planning regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27854/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Social Housing Strategy 2020, provided for an investment with a capital value of €300 million in social housing through the public private partnership or PPP model. In total the programme is expected to deliver 1,500 social housing units.

The delivery of social housing through PPP is part of the plan to accelerate the supply of social housing, which is the second pillar of Rebuilding Ireland: An Action Plan for Housing & Homelessness, launched in July 2016.

To enable delivery to commence as quickly as possible, the PPP programme is being rolled-out in three bundles. The first bundle, comprising six PPP sites which is to provide over 500 units in the greater Dublin area, was announced in October 2015. The social housing is being developed at these sites in co-operation with the local authorities in each area. Two of the sites are located in Dublin City with one each in South Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow and Louth.

The National Development Finance Agency is acting as the procuring authority on behalf of the Department and relevant local authorities. Dublin City Council has been appointed to act as the lead local authority for the delivery of the social housing PPP Programme in respect of this first bundle.

The site located at Scribblestown was put forward for consideration to be included as part of the first bundle of Social Housing PPP sites by the Dublin Social Housing Delivery Taskforce. All of the sites selected were assessed, having regard to considerations in respect the current provision of social housing in the irrespective areas in the context of sustainable communities, and compatibility with existing development plans. While the units being developed are all for social housing purposes, sustainability is achieved within the wider framework of development planning for each area.

At the Scribblestown site, the design team’s brief is for the provision of approximately 70 units of differing type and size (for example, 1 bed, 2 bed, 3 bed) together with communal open space and parking. The design team was appointed in August 2016 and the site appraisal and design development works are at an early stage. It is currently envisaged that a planning application, which will be subject to the relevant public consultation provisions, will be submitted for the site in early 2017.