Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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1095. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if there are any plans to designate Drogheda as a city in law, and for local Government administrative purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59227/25]

John Cummins (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Project Ireland 2040 is the overarching planning and investment framework for the social, economic and cultural development of Ireland.

The National Planning Framework (NPF), together with the National Development Plan, combine to form Project Ireland 2040. The NPF sets out a vision and strategy for the spatial development of Ireland to 2040. The NPF the strategic importance of Drogheda. It aims to support its development and its economic potential as part of the Dublin-Belfast Corridor and, in particular, the core Drogheda-Dundalk-Newry network. This NPF targets significant growth into the regional growth centres, including Drogheda, to enable them to act as regional drivers.

The Revised NPF was approved by Government and the Oireachtas in April 2025. This concluded the Revision process and allows the revised NPF to take effect in the planning system. The NPF aims for a roughly 50:50 distribution of growth between the Eastern and Midland region, and the Southern, and Northern and Western Regions combined, with 75% of the growth to take place outside of Dublin and its suburbs. The Revised NPF retains the strategy approach for Drogheda in relation to its role as a regional driver.

The Local Democracy Taskforce, which was established in June of this year, will examine the local government sector with a view to bringing forward recommendations of reform. The Taskforce will examine the following areas within the sector: functions, structures (including matters in respect of municipal districts, area committees and town-related bodies), funding and governance arrangements. The Taskforce is due to submit its recommendations in the first half of 2026, which will then be considered by Government.