Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein)
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1167.To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the plans for the Grand Canal Graving Dock site; if he will support the site being used for affordable and public housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33242/24]

Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein)
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1168.To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will transfer the ownership of the Grand Canal Graving Dock site to Dublin City Council to allow the site to be developed for affordable and public housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33243/24]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1167 and 1168 together.

Waterways Ireland is the freehold owner of a triangular piece of property known as City Block 19 in Dublin’s docklands. It comprises 1.2 hectares (2.965 acres) of mainly disused land and is located at the confluence of the River Dodder, the River Liffey and Grand Canal Dock.

The site is situated within the North Lotts & Grand Canal Dock Strategic Development Zone (SDZ). The SDZ planning requirement for the site proposes a mixed-use development, with a 40% residential, 30% commercial and 30% community, recreational and/or cultural site usage mix.

Waterways Ireland recently concluded the transfer of a leasehold interest in the middle portion of the site that includes the Graving Docks, from National Asset Property Management. The Graving Docks themselves are of considerable historic interest and are listed on the Dublin City Council Record of Protected Structures. This protection will continue in place into the future and will inform any development plan for the site as a whole.

Waterways Ireland is cognisant of the cultural importance of the site, and the requirements and objectives of the SDZ Planning Scheme, which include examining the “feasibility of re-opening one of the infilled graving docks to be included in any development proposals”. This objective mandates a sensitive and pragmatic approach to the preservation of the cultural heritage of the site, that is capable of securing the residential, commercial, community and cultural objectives for Block 19 as set out in the Planning Scheme.

Waterways Ireland has engaged with the Land Development Agency who confirmed it does not wish to acquire the land in question. Any future plans for the site will be determined in accordance with the necessary planning and development requirements, and will be cognisant of the history, cultural significance and community benefit that the site can bring to the community and the wider area.