Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2024
86. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if it is Government policy to sell off public land to private developers at minimal cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42878/24]
View answerThe Land Development Agency Act 2021 (The Act) was commenced in July 2021, with a number of objectives including the regulation of relevant public land in order to increase the amount of land available for the provision of housing.
In accordance with Section 53 of the Act, a relevant public body is not permitted to dispose of relevant public land unless the body has given prior notice, and offered the land for sale to the Land Development Agency (LDA). This requirement ensures that any relevant public land being disposed of is assessed to determine whether it is fit for use for the purposes of the Act, primarily the provision of affordable and social housing.
Land Development Agency Act 2021 (Valuation of Relevant Public Land) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 106/2023), prescribe the manner in which relevant public land can be transferred or sold to the LDA by other relevant public bodies. Tailte Éireann is responsible for valuing the relevant public lands being transferred to the LDA in accordance with Part 1 of the Regulation, and utilises the Existing Use Value (EUV) method of valuation pursuant to Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.
Furthermore, the Act requires the LDA to establish and maintain a Register of Relevant Lands and a Report on Relevant Public Land. Both of these tools facilitate the identification and assessment of the potential of relevant public land for the provision of affordable and social housing both now, and in the future.
