QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Housing; Planning and Local Government the number of local area plans, strategic development zones and county development plans in operation by local authority in tabular form in 2005, 2010 and 2018; the reason for the variation in the number of plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

I have no further update to the number of local area plans, strategic development zones and county development plans in operation by local authorities since my reply to Question No. 230 of 24 May 2018.
The numbers of such plans and SDZ designations and planning schemes vary in line with wider policy and operational requirements including, the requirements of planning legislation, addressing the development needs of the wider economy and society and the workload involved in preparing, considering and implementing such planning policy frameworks.
My Department is currently giving consideration to the best manner in which to seek updates from planning authorities at more regular intervals.

QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Housing; Planning and Local Government when the Moorhead review on local authority terms and conditions will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

On 21 June 2018 I announced that, with the agreement of the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, I was commissioning a review of the role and remuneration of local authority elected members and published the terms of reference for same.  I appointed Ms. Sara Moorhead SC to conduct the independent review.
Ms Moorhead's review is well underway and, in accordance with the terms of reference, an interim report has been prepared. This details the range of actions undertaken to date and sets out the further complex work necessary to complete the review.  This work is proceeding and Ms Moorhead's intention is that a final report will be ready for submission by the end of quarter 1, 2019.
When the review is complete, its findings will be the subject of discussion between my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. It will be submitted thereafter for the consideration of the Government.