Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2026
617. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure local councillors are given greater autonomy over the development of their County Development Plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37467/26]
View answerEach local authority development plan is the principal planning strategy document which sets out the relevant policies and objectives to guide the physical development of each city and county over a six-year period, including both urban and rural areas.
The elected local councillors are responsible for making or varying the development plan. Councillors must prepare and make the plan every six years, taking on board the technical and professional advice of their local authority. It is through the development plan, that planning authorities set out relevant objectives, policy support and development management standards for development, as well as identifying suitable locations or areas for specific forms of development. The power to make or vary a development plan is a reserved function of the elected members of each planning authority.
The Local Democracy Taskforce, a key commitment in the Programme for Government, was established in July 2025 with the purpose of bringing forward a suite of reforms across the Local Government Sector. The Terms of Reference for the Taskforce set out an ambitious and detailed work programme, which included consideration of the principle of subsidiarity and examining the possibility of devolving more decision-making powers to Councillors. The Taskforce submitted its final report to me recently. An implementation plan is currently being drafted for consideration by Government.
