Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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249. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to provide an update on phase 2 of the land use review; when it will be published; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30182/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government 2025: Securing Ireland’s Future, recommitted to the national land use review. The first phase was published in March 2023 and focused on evidence gathering. It was led by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Following on from Phase 1, the final report of the independently chaired Land Use Review Oversight Group was submitted to myself, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the Minister of State at Housing, Local Government and Heritage in May. We are currently reviewing it, before reporting to Government on Phase 2. It is a substantial body of work based on extensive analysis, research and consultation over the last four years. While it is a review and not an articulation of government policy, it is seeking to inform and balance environmental, social, and economic considerations and includes potential land use options on both public and private lands.

This is in the context of current land use patterns, and the various demands being made of land in delivering on our national environment commitments and particularly in the context of a climate neutral economy in 2050, maintaining food production, economic development and the restoration of biodiversity.

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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250. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government when he intends to publish information on the social climate plan, considering that this is a key action of the National Climate Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30185/25]

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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251. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government when a public consultation will take place in relation to the social climate plan that his Department is currently drafting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30186/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 251 together.

I would refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No 21 of Wednesday, 28 May 2025.

My Department is now preparing a draft Social Climate Plan in consultation with relevant Departmental stakeholders and with the European Commission. A variety of targeted measures aimed at providing long-term solutions to reduce fossil fuels reliance and effectively help vulnerable groups impacted by the rising price of carbon are being examined for inclusion in the Plan.

My Department is currently in the process of designing a public consultation to inform the development of Ireland's Social Climate Plan. This public consultation is planned to launch in June and will run for four weeks. It is planned to submit the draft Plan to the Commission for formal approval in the second half of 2025.