Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
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601. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to empower the Land Development Agency to purchase a factory (details supplied), ensuring it could be kept open to deliver homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61239/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Land Development Agency (LDA) operates as a commercial state body under the aegis of my Department. Its governance framework is structured to ensure accountability, transparency and alignment with national housing priorities, including the delivery of affordable and sustainable housing. The LDA Board, appointed by me, as Minister, provides strategic oversight, approves corporate plans and monitors performance against key objectives.

I have no plans to empower or direct the Land Development Agency to purchase the factory in question and the Board has not expressed any desire to be extended such powers. While I was disappointed to hear of the closing of this factory, its acquisition would not align with wider strategic plans for the Agency.

The Land Development Agency is at the forefront of the deployment of a range of Modern Methods of Construction to deliver warm, comfortable and sustainable homes all over Ireland at the lowest possible cost. These include the use of standardisation in design and construction and off site assembly where appropriate. This supports their mandate as a provider of social and affordable homes in communities all over Ireland and as an incubator for the development and promotion of best practice and innovation in the construction sector.