Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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200. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the timeframe for analysing submissions for the national planning framework in view of the fact the submission date has passed; and when the resulting framework will be published. [18631/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The new National Planning Framework (NPF), titled Ireland 2040 – Our Plan, will act as the successor to the National Spatial Strategy 2002 (NSS) and will serve as the Government’s strategic 20 year-plus framework for the development of Ireland out to 2040.  The NPF will set a new strategic planning and development framework for the co-ordination of a range of national, regional and local authority policies and activities, planning and investment.  

I launched the national consultation on Ireland 2040 – Our Plan on 2 February and extended this initial consultation period to 31 March to ensure that all citizens and interested parties could make a submission.

My Department is currently cataloguing and analysing over 3,000 submissions received, with all relevant aspects of these submissions being considered and taken into account.  In addition, on foot of the finalised Census 2016 results which are now emerging, my Department will review and analyse all of the statistical data provided and ensure the most recent and accurate data is considered and reflected in any evidence-based proposals that may form part of a draft NPF.

At this point, I anticipate that a draft NPF will be finalised for submission to Government before the end of the second quarter of the year, after which it will be published for formal consultation over the Summer, with a view to being finalised later in 2017.