Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 January 2026
259. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the failure of the developers (details supplied) to deliver on key obligations and commitments, including the promised town centre and bridge, and the affordable housing requirements attached to LIHAF; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5004/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government, on 25 May 2010, designated approximately 360 hectares of land at Cherrywood as a Strategic Development Zone. Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (DLRCC) is the specified Development Agency and the planning authority for the area.
Based on the requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) the elected members of DLRCC adopted the Cherrywood SDZ Planning Scheme in 2012, and it was approved by An Bord Pleanála in 2014 following an appeal. The Planning Scheme provides a framework for the phased development of over 10,000 new homes, commercial and retail floorspace, and associated educational and community facilities and infrastructure in Cherrywood.
DLRCC is responsible for overseeing the delivery of the Planning Scheme and bringing forward amendments to the scheme where it is deemed necessary in response to changing circumstances or changes to planning and development guidance. There have been a number of amendments to the Scheme, including a recent amendment relating to the sequencing and phasing of development and a current proposed amendment relating to the Town Centre and Environs area.
The Government has supported the development of the area. My Department alone has committed almost €70 million in funding to support the delivery of infrastructure and facilities needed in the area, as follows:
• €11.39m was committed under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund to support a phased transport project that unlocks lands for 2,000 housing units. Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the project are complete. The third phase comprising Druid's Glen Road and Bridge is at design stage. As part of the funding agreement, a portion of the overall housing yield is required to have an affordable or social element. The details of this will be agreed between DLRCC and the developers.
• €57.9 million has been committed under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund to support the delivery of parks, greenways, attenuation ponds, streets and permeability and pedestrian links.
DLRCC has advised that significant progress has been made in delivering the Strategic Development Zone. At the end of 2025, permission has been granted for 5,679 homes and almost 2,000 homes have been delivered. Public infrastructure delivered includes LUAS stations, district parks, streets, a primary school and commercial and retail floor space.
