Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2026
196. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a report on the work of the LDA to develop State-owned lands and strategically assemble land from both public and private sources to create a more stable and affordable housing market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17491/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Land Development Agency (LDA) published its 2nd Report on Relevant Public Lands in 2025, which is a statutory report in accordance with Section 52 of the Land Development Agency Act of 2021. The Report identifies a total of 102 parcels of land as having potential to deliver housing-led development.
My Department has engaged with all landholding bodies to further assess the suitability of sites in their ownership for the development of housing. This engagement is nearing completion, and I expect that further site recommendations will be brought to Government for consideration for transfer to the LDA.
Some of the sites identified may be suitable to progress to design and planning following transfer, subject to achieving statutory consents and agreement, while others are large, complex and may be in operational use. It is important to note that while suitable and prioritised, many of these sites require further inputs, such as master planning, enabling works, relocation of existing operations, before the LDA can make applications for statutory consents or development.
Real progress is being made on advancing the transfer of lands to the LDA and constructing homes. An example of this is in Naas, where 219 homes are being developed at Barracksfield West on the site of the former Devoy Barracks. The first phase, comprising 66 Affordable Purchase homes, was launched in November 2025.
It may be helpful to note that the LDA is required under legislation to establish and maintain a Register of Relevant Public Lands. More information on the Register and the current use of relevant public land sites is available on the LDA website via the following link: https://lda.ie/public-lands/register-of-relevant-lands.
To further secure and expand its delivery pipeline, the LDA has also acquired 7 private sites through its' Private Land Acquisition Initiative. These sites have the collective potential to deliver over 13,200 additional new homes.
