Statement of Strategy Goal D Key Objectives and Actions

1.1 Commence Planning and Development Act 2024 in accordance with the commencement schedule outlined in the Implementation Plan

1.2 Management, preparation and finalisation of secondary legislation following engagement with relevant stakeholders as appropriate to repeal and replace existing Planning and Development Regulations, and to provide consequential amendments to existing legislation

1.3 Secondary legislation to be prepared in line with the commencement schedule for the act

1.4 Review classes of exempted development in consultation with other government departments and state bodies and undertake a public consultation on the proposed changes to inform the preparation of new exempted development regulations to accompany the relevant provisions of the act

1.5 Development of National Planning Statements and corresponding guidance material, as required

1.6 Ensure practical support and operational measures are made available to facilitate and assist the roll-out of new legislation, such as training material, information programmes and technical advice

2.1 Develop, monitoring and review national planning policy, in conjunction with other government departments, in support of government objectives

2.2 Implement and monitor the strategic alignment of spatial planning and investment under Project Ireland 2040

2.3 The development of proposals for urban land activation and active land management, in particular to support the increased supply of housing, including through measures to tackle vacancy and dereliction

2.4 The monitoring and ongoing review of the implementation of the National Planning

3.1 Develop a detailed roadmap of deliverable objectives necessary to increase the pool of planning and related expertise needed to bring new talent forward to meet present and future needs

3.2 Address educational pathways to becoming a professional planner and supporting initiatives relating to recruitment, training and staff development in local government with the aim of building capacity and resilience within the planning system overall

3.3 Under the National Development Plan, provide funding to support the provision of additional planning resources and supports to strengthen the capacity of local authorities in carrying out their planning functions

3.4 Introduce measures to encourage greater efficiency across the system and consideration for all of the roles involved, including expert administrative

4.1 Develop a performance monitoring system for the planning system

4.2 Monitor, evaluate and disseminate data to improve policy formation and service delivery within the planning system

4.3 Develop a national planning excellence framework

5.1 Ensure an appropriate legislative and policy framework for planning in Ireland which is effective, efficient, streamlined and transparent

5.2 Ensure the planning system is compliant with the State’s EU and international obligations with regard to environmental assessment, and is aligned, where appropriate with other EU legislation, including the Water Framework Directive, the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), the Nature Restoration Law, the Critical Raw Materials Act and the Net-Zero Industry Act

5.3 Ensure legislation and guidance is updated, manage the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Portal and transboundary EIA consultations

5.4 Coordinate and manage environmental planning litigation on behalf of the department in domestic courts and the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)

6.1 Expand Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF)investments in projects to regenerate the public realm under the new Towns and Cities Infrastructure Investment Fund (TCIIF) which will replace the URDF

6.2 Provide ongoing financial and technical support to local authorities to assist in the continued development and management of URDF funded projects (whether new or existing projects) across identified towns under the Towns and Cities Infrastructure Investment Fund

6.3 Work towards the completion of the Cork Events Centre to enhance Cork’s cultural landscape and boost the city’s regeneration

nsure the LDA is adequately resourced to carry out its functions and meet its objectives as provided for under the Programme for Government – Securing Ireland’s Future

7.2 Ensure that An Coimisiún Pleanála / Office of the Planning Regulator have the powers, capacity, guidance and resources to carry out their statutory functions efficiently and effectively

7.3 To support Tailte Éireann in providing trusted land registration, valuation and surveying services that benefit Irish society and the economy