Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 December 2025
312. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the Office of the Planning Regulator received formal notifications about Local Area Plan non-compliance in a local authority (details supplied); the actions that followed from those notifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68545/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) is an independent public body which was established on 3 April 2019 under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended to perform the following functions:
independent assessment of all local authority forward planning and regional assembly forward planning, including development plans, local area plans and regional spatial and economic strategies;
reviews of the organisation, systems and procedures used by any planning authority, including An Bord Pleanála, in the performance of any of their planning functions under the 2000 Act; and
conducting national education and training programmes for members and staff of planning authorities and regional assemblies in relation to proper planning and sustainable development; and also conducting research on matters relevant to the OPR’s functions and such other matters as may be requested by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The information requested is not held by my Department as this is a matter for the Office of the Planning Regulator.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for the Office of the Planning Regulator in this regard is oireachtas@opr.ie.
