Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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121. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the extent to which progress is ongoing in regard to the resolution of issues affecting stalled development at Naas town centre; if adequate plans are in hand to enhance the profile of the town by way of a specific development strategy culminating on the development of the various available sites in the town including the town centre development with a view to encouraging increased footfall in the town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25142/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The management of certain issues relating to the stalled Naas town centre development is primarily a matter for Kildare County Council in the first instance, and I have no function in the matter.

However, as I have previously outlined,  the securing of a satisfactory conclusion to the development of the site in question - which is of significant strategic importance to the town of Naas - has been a particular focus of the Council's efforts over the last number of years. In this regard, I am informed by the Council that it continues to actively engage with NAMA - which has a controlling interest in the site - on the issue of the site being offered for sale as soon as possible, with a view to facilitating the completion of the development.  The Council will continue to support and work in partnership with any stakeholders involved in the site. Subject to satisfactory planning approval, there is no impediment to accessing the site, or to appropriate development of the site.

The Council has also advised that during the last 18 months, it has initiated and supported a number of projects with the strategic objective of ensuring that the social and economic development of Naas is protected and enhanced, underpinned by the work of the Naas Roads and Transport Steering Group, the URBACT Group and the Naas Regeneration Group.  The Council has also received the approval of the National Transport Authority to prepare a Traffic Management Study of Naas which will form an important element in the development of a Strategic Social and Economic Plan for Naas.