John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

358. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government following the publication of his action plan for housing and homelessness four months ago, the status of the progress made to date on action 5.9, to review planning legislation to allow the change of use of vacant commercial units in urban areas into residential units without having to go through the planning process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35108/16]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

359. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government following the publication of his action plan for housing and homelessness four months ago, the status of the progress made to date on action 5.11, to establish a ministerial-led urban renewal working group; if this group has been established; when it first met and when it is expected to bring forward proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35110/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 358 and 359 together.

The Programme for a Partnership Government, published in May 2016, sets out the ambitious priority attached to urban regeneration by the Government, incorporating a series of specific actions aimed at facilitating the regeneration of our urban centres, many of which have been adversely impacted by our recent economic difficulties. The Government’s Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, published in July 2016, further reinforces the Government’s commitment to the area of urban regeneration.

In this context and further to Action 5.11 of the Action Plan, a Working Group, chaired by my colleague, the Minister of State in my Department with responsibility for Housing and Urban Renewal, and comprising of senior representatives from my Department, local authorities and other relevant bodies, has been established with a view to bringing forward proposals for new urban regeneration measures by the end of the year.

It is intended that the new measures will complement the existing regeneration programme under my Department’s Social Housing Capital Programme, as well as other social regeneration initiatives already under way. The inaugural meeting of the Working Group took place on 15 June last, and has met twice since with a further meeting scheduled for later this month.

As part of its deliberations and in line with the commitment in Action 5.9 of the Action Plan, the Working Group is presently reviewing planning legislation to allow the change of use of vacant commercial premises in urban areas, including vacant or under-utilised areas over ground floor premises, into residential units without having to go through the planning process.