Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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398. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he has received a recommendation from the Office of the Planning Regulator in relation to the South Dublin County Council development plan 2022-2028; if so, the content of the recommendation; and the action that he is taking on foot of receipt of the recommendation. [54955/22]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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It is important to note the role of the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) in the overall plan making process. One core function of the OPR is the independent assessment of all local authority and regional assembly statutory plans, including county and city development plans, local area plans (LAPs) and regional spatial and economic strategies (RSESs).

The OPR provides observations and recommendations during the drafting of statutory plans. In cases where the OPR finds that a local authority's plans are ultimately not consistent with relevant regional or national policies, the OPR can recommend the use of Ministerial powers of direction to align plans with statutory requirements and best practice.

Concerning South Dublin County Council, the above mentioned independent assessment process is taking place and has not yet concluded. Consequent to a recommendation made to me by the OPR under section 31AM(8) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), I notified South Dublin County Council on 28^thJuly of my intention to issue a Direction (a draft of which was included in the notice) to South Dublin County Council to take certain measures specified in the notice in order to ensure that the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022-2028 is in compliance with the requirements of the Act. Information pertaining to this draft direction and subsequent responses from the Local Authority to the OPR are available at www.sdcc.ie/en/devplan2022/adopted-plan/draft-ministerial-direction1/. The public consultation period ran from 10^thAugust to the 23^rdAugust 2022.

Subsequently, the Chief Executive of the Council issued a report dated 19 September 2022 on the submissions and observations made to the planning authority on this draft direction. The Office considered this notice and issued a notice under section 31AN(4) of the Act to me, as Minister responsible, on 10^thOctober 2022 recommending that I exercise my function to take such steps to ensure that the plan sets out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

I am currently considering its contents and recommendations. It is important to note that this process remains live and has not yet concluded and therefore it would not be appropriate to comment any further at this time.

It should be noted that arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for the Office of the Planning Regulator is oireachtas@opr.ie.