Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Legislation enacted in December 2022 amended the Planning and Development Act. The provisions under sections 3, 13 and 14 of the Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Act 2022 which insert section 179A into the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, have commenced. These provisions provide that housing development by, on behalf of, or in partnership with a local authority which commences construction before the end of 2024 will be exempt from planning permission and from the Local Authority ’Part 8’ process, subject to a number of specific conditions. Where a development does not satisfy the conditions set out in section 179A, the normal Local Authority own development arrangements under the ‘Part 8’ process will apply.

As part of their role in delivering social housing, in line with the targets agreed under Housing for All, local authorities are responsible for bringing forward proposals to my Department. It is the responsibility of local authorities to identify potential projects that will deliver social housing, in line with their social housing needs. My Department has no direct role in that regard. Each capital appraisal (business case) submitted to my Department must comply with all policy and legislative requirements in place.