Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 March 2025
55. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the introduction of special development plans for Gaeltacht areas, as per the objective of the programme for Government. [12716/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Planning and Development Act 2024 ("Act of 2024") was enacted on 17 October 2024. A detailed Implementation Plan has now been published that includes a commencement schedule for the Act and a range of initiatives to support training and engagement for the planning sector in preparation for the phased transition to the new legislative framework. The Implementation Plan is a ‘living document’ that informs and guides the commencement and rollout of the Act of 2024 and it will be updated as required to remain relevant throughout the period of its implementation. It is available to view at www.gov.ie/planning.
The first phase of commencements will provide for the establishment of An Coimisiún Pleanála (Part 17), provisions relating the taking of judicial reviews (Part 9, Chapters 1 and 3) and Events and Funfairs (Part 16) as well as several related and supporting provisions. As part of the second phase of commencements due to take place in mid-2025, provisions relating to Plans, Polices and Related Matters under Part 3 will be brought into operation (including development plans). This includes Section 72(4) which provides that where a development plan sets out settlement-specific objectives in respect of any Gaeltacht or inhabited offshore island that the planning authority shall prepare a priority area plan for one or more such Gaeltacht or inhabited offshore island.
At present, the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended, sets out mandatory objectives for local authorities, which must be addressed in the drafting of their Development Plan governing local development policies. Where there is a Gaeltacht area within the planning authority’s administrative area, the development plan must include provisions and objectives for “the protection of the linguistic and cultural heritage of the Gaeltacht including the promotion of Irish as the community language”.
The Development Plans Guidelines for Local Authorities published in July 2022 give further guidance to local authorities, including reflecting the Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas (Limistéar Pleanála Teanga – LPTs as required under the Gaeltacht Act 2012) as well as the inclusion of further policies such as ensuring that development proposals in Gaeltacht areas have a positive impact on the linguistic and cultural heritage that can be robustly assessed at planning application stage.
