Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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31. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he has given direction to Dublin City Council as to which arrangements could be considered optimal in the provision of affordable housing after the finalisation of the commercial agreement for the Poolbeg SDZ. [52263/17]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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In May 2016, the Government designated Poolbeg West as a Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) because of its potential to deliver a large proportion of the extra homes needed in the centre of Dublin.

The next step in realising the potential of the SDZ was the publication for consultation by Dublin City Council of a detailed planning scheme for the area.  The Council prepared a draft planning scheme which was considered by their elected members in May 2017.  In its role as a statutory consultee for that process, my Department highlighted the importance of the planning scheme in addressing a variety of housing needs, including social housing and those of other households seeking to accommodate themselves through private housing.

On this basis, the Council proposed a material amendment to the Planning Scheme in relation to the social/affordable, mixed-tenure housing, details of which were on display until mid-July. As a statutory consultee, my Department made further observations in this regard.  The Planning Scheme was approved by Dublin City Council on 2 October.

On foot of the material amendment, 900 of the 3,500 new homes on the SDZ lands will be delivered as social/affordable units. The arrangements agreed as part of the planning scheme were  outlined in response to the specific context of the SDZ and will need further development in the context of wider Government policies to enhance affordability in general.  I am committed to working with the Council to deliver these social and affordable units on what is a key site for the sustainable development of Dublin City.

Of the 900 units referred to, 350 (10% of the overall total) will be delivered as social housing in accordance with the provisions of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). It is intended that an agreement, with confirmed funding, will be entered into between the City Council, the receiver and my Department, prior to commencement of development, for a further 550 new homes, the majority of which will be housing earmarked for rental in a manner that will assist in enhancing affordability, with the balance provided as social housing with a particular focus on housing for older people. 

It should be noted that there is currently an appeal to An Bord Pleanála in relation to the Poolbeg SDZ planning scheme.  The decision of the Board is due in February 2018.