Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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300. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on proposals contained in section 2 of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016 which will dilute the powers of local authorities with regard to the granting of planning permission for large-scale residential developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37602/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016, which is currently progressing through the Houses of the Oireachtas, proposes that, for a temporary period of time until the end of 2019 - with the possibility to extend that period by a further 2 years to coincide with the timeframe for the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness - planning applications for large-scale housing developments, comprising 100 housing units or more or 200 or more student accommodation bed spaces, shall be made directly to An Bord Pleanála.

The proposed streamlined planning procedures are intended to provide greater certainty for developers in terms of the timelines for planning decision-making, while also facilitating the earlier provision of much needed housing supply and helping to address the current housing supply shortage situation.

In the course of the deliberations on the Bill in the Seanad which are still ongoing, concerns have been expressed regarding the alleged dilution of the role of local authorities and elected members under the proposed new procedures, which I have noted. Similar concerns have also been expressed to me by the Association of Irish Local Government.

In this connection, I wish to outline that, under the proposed new procedures, applications for planning permission in respect of large-scale housing developments will only be considered on lands that have already been zoned for residential development in the relevant city or county development plan, as determined by the elected members in the process of the adoption of the development plan. This remains a reserved function of the elected members and will not change under the new procedures.

Furthermore, it is intended under the proposed new procedures that local authorities will be centrally involved in the pre-application consultation consideration of proposed large-scale housing developments with the developers in question and An Bord Pleanála. When a planning application in respect of a large-scale housing development is subsequently submitted to the Board, local authorities will be further required to submit a report - including making recommendations indicating their view on whether proposed development should be granted or refused permission - to the Board as part of the proposed new arrangements.

Taking account of the concerns expressed to date and the respective reserved and executive functions of local elected members and the local authority executive, I have indicated that I am supportive of tabling a Government amendment to the proposed new arrangements so that elected members are informed of any strategic housing developments proposed for their local areas at an early point in the process thereby facilitating them to make submissions on any such proposed developments. This would enhance the involvement of elected members in the proposed new procedures relating to large scale housing developments, giving them an opportunity to input to the process and to represent the views of their constituents in accordance with their democratic mandate. I am proposing an amendment to the Bill to this effect at Report Stage in the Seanad later today.

I will continue to engage with members of both Houses on all provisions of the Bill as it progresses through both Houses so that the measures contained in it are pragmatic and workable, while also ensuring that local authorities and elected members are involved in, and can input to, the proposed new procedures.