Written answers
Tuesday, 27 June 2023
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
National Development Plan
Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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64. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for an overview of the progress made to date under national strategic outcome No. 1 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30902/23]
Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Government has committed €165 billion funding for capital investment, as set out in the NDP published in October 2021. This expenditure was considered and agreed in order to support those sectors that would be key in delivering the ten National Strategic Outcomes (NSOs) identified in the National Planning Framework (NPF).
The NDP contains expenditure commitments for a range of strategic investment priorities which will contribute towards the achievement of these NSOs, including NSO 1 which relates to compact growth.
NSO 1 aims to secure the sustainable growth of more compact urban and rural settlements supported by jobs, housing and essential services. Initiatives such as the Town Centre First, Croí Conaithe and the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund aim to support regeneration of our towns and cities, encouraging compact growth. In addition to these specific measures, substantial investment has been prioritised for sustainable transport including active travel, BusConnects for all major cities, MetroLink and Dart+, all of which will further contribute to more sustainable cities and boost infill development.
Since April 2019, the assessment of all statutory local authority development plans, including variations to development plans and local area plans, is undertaken by the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR). The Office of the Planning Regulator ensures that local authority plans are consistent with relevant national and regional policies, including those related to compact growth.
I am aware that very significant progress was made by local authorities over the last two years to align their respective city and county development plans with the National Planning Framework (NPF). In total, 23 new city and county development plans came into effect during 2021 and 2022. This will help to ensure that our local authorities are delivering sequential and compact growth in line with national and regional policy.
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