Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 November 2025
645. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the brownfield sites identified in Cork city and Cork county that are suitable for housing; the number of units expected from each site; and the planned timeline for commencement. [63912/25]
View answerMy Department does not collate the information sought and the query would be more appropriately directed to the local authority in question.
It should be noted that local authorities are entirely independent corporate entities having full responsibility under law for the performance of their functions and the discharge of their governance and other responsibilities. The broad oversight role that the Department fulfils in respect of Local Government policy does not include the power to instruct or direct the authorities unless that is specifically provided for in legislation.
The democratically elected Councillors are responsible for running the local authority in conjunction with the Chief Executive and his/her team. Under Section 149 of the Local Government Act 2001, the Chief Executive of a local authority is responsible for the executive functions of the local authority, and for that purpose to manage and control generally, the administration and business of the authority.
With regard to sites that may be suitable for housing, the adopted development plan for the local authority area, which is available to view on the local authority website, includes the identification of lands zoned for residential development (which includes 'brownfield' lands) or zoned for a mixture of uses including residential.
