John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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244. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will outline the activity of the Land Development Agency from the date it was established to date in 2021 relative to the number of sites identified and acquired; the number of planning permissions granted or in the process and the overall cost of its operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27250/21]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The Land Development Agency (LDA) was established on an interim basis in September 2018, by way of an Establishment Order made under the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act 1971, pending the enactment of primary legislation when it will be established as a commercial State agency.

On establishment, the Agency had access to an initial tranche of 8 sites – listed below - that have near term delivery potential for 3,400 new homes. Significant preparatory work is underway in relation to these sites, with feasibility, planning and other preparatory works already initiated.

The LDA received planning permission for a Strategic Housing Development (SHD) at the St. Kevin’s Hospital site in Cork City in April 2021. The LDA has also submitted a planning application for the site at Devoy Barracks in Naas and plans to submit further planning applications in 2021.

A public consultation process is currently underway in relation to the development at the Central Mental Hospital site in Dundrum and it is expected that the LDA will lodge an SHD planning application for this site during 2021.

In addition to the initial sites, the LDA has already secured planning permission for 597 units at Shanganagh in conjunction with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. Approximately 34% of the units will be for social housing, 51% will be cost rental and 15% will be for affordable purchase. Work has commenced on the construction tender process, with construction anticipated to start in the second half of 2021.

In conjunction with Dublin City Council, the LDA has recently opened an early stage consultation on a site at St. Teresa's Gardens with potential for 700 housing units.

The LDA’s role will increasingly expand beyond the initial focus on these public lands, to also encompass important work in master-planning critical urban sites and leading out in partnerships with local authorities on the development of quality urban areas.

Examples of this type of active land management is demonstrated in their engagement with Limerick City and County Council and other public bodies in relation to Colbert Station, and with Galway County Council in relation to Sandy Row, Galway. A Cork Docklands Delivery Office was also established by Cork City Council in partnership with the LDA. The focus of this office is on supporting and catalysing the Cork Docklands area.

At present, funding is provided to the LDA through my Department's Vote to meet their day to day running costs as well as any capital expenditure they may encounter prior the enactment of the LDA Bill. A breakdown of funding provided for the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 (to date) is set out in the table below. The LDA did not draw down significant levels of capital funding in 2018 and 2019 as the projects were at the initial pre-planning stages.

Once the primary legislation is in place, equity funding of up to €1.25 billion will be made available to the LDA through transfers from the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF). The investment will be effected through a subscription of share capital in the LDA by the Minister for Housing and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The LDA will also have the ability to borrow up to €1.25 billion to fund these activities.