Publishing the Draft 'Sustainable and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities' for consultation, the Ministers emphasised that the aim of the consultation is to secure views on new national policy that supports more compact and diverse housing in all settlements, increased housing supply and greater housing choice. The draft guidelines will expand on government policy in the National Planning Framework, in particular policies in relation to compact growth and in relation to the creation of attractive, liveable, well-designed, high quality urban places. Following the consultation, the finalised guidelines, to be published in October 2023, will build on - and update - the existing Sustainable Residential Developments in Urban Areas: Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2009). Launching the consultation today, Minister O’Brien said: “While progress continues to be made on housing delivery, this public consultation will help our aim of providing a broader range of housing options to meet the needs of a growing and diverse population. New housing should respond to population needs, enhance communities and facilitate a more sustainable way of building communities. I encourage members of the public to help shape the way forward and to influence the delivery of sustainable residential development in their communities." The proposed policy approach focuses on the interaction between residential density, housing standards and quality design and place-making. It proposes:
Housing Density: to achieve compact growth, and reflecting the variety of settlements and settlement contexts where residential development takes place, the proposed approach recommends density ranges for cities, metropolitan towns, large towns (10,000+ population), small and medium sized towns (>1,500 to 10,000 population) and rural towns and villages (>1,500 population). Housing standards: recognising the significant population growth forecast and changing demographics, and to achieve compact growth, medium-density housing models should be facilitated, alongside traditional housing and apartment developments. (Details are contained in the Notes to Editor/Further Information below) Quality design and place-making: the guidelines set out quality design and place-making indicators, that should be applied in the preparation and consideration of individual planning applications. Examples of this could include sustainable and efficient movement, mix and distribution of land uses, integration of natural assets and green infrastructure and built form. The Minister of State for Planning and Local Government, Kieran O’Donnell, said: "As we continue to increase the delivery of affordable housing, it’s important that we do so in a sustainable way harnessing best practice and ensuring that the right type of development occurs in the right locations. "These proposed guidelines focus on residential density, housing standards and quality design with the aim of facilitating the creation of attractive, liveable, well-designed, high quality urban places. "I would encourage people to give us their views so that we can increase housing supply into the future in a sustainable way, based on best planning practice.” Submissions on the proposed policy approach can be made up until 5pm on 5 October 2023. All submissions will be taken into consideration when finalising the Sustainable and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities, which will be published in September 2023.
A Local Authority Home Loan is a government-backed mortgage for creditworthy first time buyers (or those making a fresh start after a divorce, separation or bankruptcy) and is available nationwide from the nearest local authority. It enables an applicant to borrow up to 90% of the value of the property. The campaign which will run on radio, digital and social media will highlight a Local Authority Home Loan as a viable source of finance for those seeking to get on the property ladder, especially for those who may not have been able to obtain finance from traditional mortgage providers. Commenting, Minister O’Brien said: “Affordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of the government’s housing policy. The Local Authority Home Loan is one of several initiatives which offers tangible financial assistance to those looking to purchase their own home. “To date, over 3,350 households have successfully applied to the scheme, have been provided with a State backed mortgage and have purchased their own home. “Earlier this year, we made major improvements to the loan by increasing both the house price ceilings for all local authority areas and raising the income eligibility limits for applicants meaning it now applies to a wider base with more people eligible to apply. "I’m encouraging anyone who is seeking to get on the property ladder but who have received insufficient offers of finance to look into the option of applying for a Local Authority Home Loan.” Access the information campaign website. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien has welcomed confirmation from SIPTU that Retained Firefighters will suspend strike action from noon today [17 August]. This comes following discussions at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) which Minister O’Brien urged Parties to engage with earlier this week. Minister O’Brien thanked both sides for their engagement in the process saying, “I welcome the intervention of the WRC in the current dispute and I believe a pathway forward can be found. I’d like to thank both sides for engaging in this process and for their efforts to seek a resolution. I will continue to support the great work done by our retained firefighters across the country and will advocate on their behalf at the upcoming national pay talks which are due to begin shortly.” Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD today (August 17th) announced their joint plan to develop design standards for Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) in Ireland.
The Residential Construction Cost Study, which was published by Minister O’Brien in May of this year, recommends the development of a standardised specification for purpose built student accommodation. The first step will be to conduct a study to examine international best practice and flexibility of design to establish appropriate standards in the delivery of affordable accommodation. The project will be led by a cross-departmental project group chaired by DFHERIS with sectoral and technical support from DHLGH, DFHERIS and the Higher Education Authority (HEA). This work will be informed by a stakeholder engagement process, which will include student representatives. Speaking today, Minister Harris said: "For the first time in history, the State is investing in building student accommodation, a plan which is an important part of our Housing for All strategy. "Already we have helped to fund the construction of 1,100 beds, with many more on the way. "As part of the new Student Accommodation Strategy, it is important we examine the best models of delivery for student accommodation. "This project will examine how best we can increase supply of accommodation but also improve affordability too. "Minister O’Brien and I, along with our officials, are committed to increasing the supply of student accommodation. This work is vital to that." Minister O’Brien said: "Housing for All commits to the development of Purpose Built Student Accommodation in Ireland as part of the broader strategy towards overall diversification and, particularly in this case, the increased availability and affordability of rental stock. “Recently, €62 million in funding was allocated to delivering over 1,000 student accommodation beds, and work is under way to plan student accommodation across the higher education sector. “The Residential Construction Cost Study identified significant approach differences between Ireland and Europe with respect to PBSA. Standardised design and specification are more prominent in Europe. “This new PBSA study will interrogate how increased standardisation of design and specification can maximise delivery and affordability in Ireland. As such, it is a key component of Government’s broader strategy to deliver across all tenures and housing types under Housing for All.” The project will commence immediately with the appointment of a cross-departmental project group chaired by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science followed by a request for tender for an expert consultant to undertake the study. ENDS
White-tailed eagles are predators who play an important role in nature and the ecosystem. Once native to Ireland, they became extinct in the nineteenth century. Since 2007, the NPWS has been working with partners in Norway along with farmers and communities around the country to reintroduce the white-tailed eagle to Ireland. Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, who released four chicks at Killarney National Park as part of the release programme, said: “The juvenile white-tailed eagles we have released this week are joining a growing population across our island. This incredible endeavour is the result of 16 years’ work and collaboration, not just on the reintroduction programme, but also on habitat restoration and engagement with landowners to secure their ongoing protection. “These apex predators perform a vital role in our ecosystems and the sight of them soaring in the thermals is a privilege that everyone who lives in or visits Ireland will now have the opportunity to enjoy. I would like to pay tribute to NPWS staff for their commitment and dedication to this initiative, our international partners from Norway, and the communities around the country who are embracing the return of the white-tailed eagle to our landscapes.” A comprehensive satellite tagging system is now in place so that the birds can be monitored as they disperse around the country. Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien who also participated in the release of chicks at in the vicinity of Lough Derg added: “This reintroduction programme is the result of a combined effort by my Department’s National Parks and Wildlife Service, participating landowners and communities and endangered species experts. I commend each of them for the role they are playing in protecting these iconic birds of prey.” Niall Ó Donnchú, Director General with the NPWS said: “This programme is one of several initiatives underway in the NPWS to protect endangered species in Ireland and prevent their decline. This work takes time, and calls for a partnership approach if it is to be sustainable in the long term. Collaboration with the science community and international partners, along with the involvement of our expert staff and communities around the country has been key to the success we have seen so far.” Eamonn Meskell, Divisional Manager NPWS, Killarney National Park who heads up the white-tailed eagle reintroduction Programme added: “There is huge interest from the public in the white-tailed eagle programme. Locations where they are spotted attract many visitors and local interest and we love to hear about sightings of the birds around Ireland and further afield. There are great stories to tell about the project. For example, the first Irish bred female to breed in over a hundred years has fledged seven chicks in three years! In Lough Derg this year for the second time a nesting pair fledged triplets. This is incredibly unusual – even in the wilds of Norway, and it shows how well suited Ireland really is for the white-tailed eagle from both a habitat and a feeding perspective. We’ll be watching this year’s chicks with interest as they mature and hopefully go on to fledge more chicks.” Bente Lyngstad, chargé d'affaires at the Norwegian Embassy in Ireland said: “Watching the release of the white-tailed sea eagles is a truly extraordinary and mighty experience. Over the years more than 150 eagle chicks have been collected in Norway and released in Ireland. Today's stock in Ireland is the result of a long-term collaboration between Norway and Ireland, which again stems from our deep friendship and our shared values. I would like to acknowledge all volunteers whose efforts have been imperative to make this happen. The retention of species is essential for maintaining the intricate web of life and the functioning of ecosystems. It contributes to the sustainable use of natural resources and the well-being of both present and future generations. Yet we now see a rapid loss of species world-wide. This development must be halted. The reintroduction of white-tailed sea eagles into their natural habitat is a great example of how we can work together against biodiversity loss.”
White-tailed eagles are predators who play an important role in nature and the ecosystem. Once native to Ireland, they became extinct in the nineteenth century. Since 2007, the NPWS has been working with partners in Norway along with farmers and communities around the country to reintroduce the white-tailed eagle to Ireland. Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, who released four chicks at Killarney National Park as part of the release programme, said: “The juvenile white-tailed eagles we have released this week are joining a growing population across our island. This incredible endeavour is the result of 16 years’ work and collaboration, not just on the reintroduction programme, but also on habitat restoration and engagement with landowners to secure their ongoing protection. “These apex predators perform a vital role in our ecosystems and the sight of them soaring in the thermals is a privilege that everyone who lives in or visits Ireland will now have the opportunity to enjoy. I would like to pay tribute to NPWS staff for their commitment and dedication to this initiative, our international partners from Norway, and the communities around the country who are embracing the return of the white-tailed eagle to our landscapes.” A comprehensive satellite tagging system is now in place so that the birds can be monitored as they disperse around the country. Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, who also participated in the release of chicks at in the vicinity of Lough Derg added: “This reintroduction programme is the result of a combined effort by my department’s National Parks and Wildlife Service, participating landowners and communities and endangered species experts. I commend each of them for the role they are playing in protecting these iconic birds of prey.” Niall Ó Donnchú, Director General with the NPWS said: “This programme is one of several initiatives underway in the NPWS to protect endangered species in Ireland and prevent their decline. This work takes time, and calls for a partnership approach if it is to be sustainable in the long term. Collaboration with the science community and international partners, along with the involvement of our expert staff and communities around the country has been key to the success we have seen so far.” Eamonn Meskell, Divisional Manager NPWS, Killarney National Park who heads up the white-tailed eagle reintroduction Programme added: “There is huge interest from the public in the white-tailed eagle programme. Locations where they are spotted attract many visitors and local interest and we love to hear about sightings of the birds around Ireland and further afield. There are great stories to tell about the project. For example, the first Irish bred female to breed in over a hundred years has fledged seven chicks in three years! In Lough Derg this year for the second time a nesting pair fledged triplets. This is incredibly unusual – even in the wilds of Norway, and it shows how well suited Ireland really is for the white-tailed eagle from both a habitat and a feeding perspective. We’ll be watching this year’s chicks with interest as they mature and hopefully go on to fledge more chicks.” Bente Lyngstad, chargé d'affaires at the Norwegian Embassy in Ireland said: “Watching the release of the white-tailed sea eagles is a truly extraordinary and mighty experience. Over the years more than 150 eagle chicks have been collected in Norway and released in Ireland. Today's stock in Ireland is the result of a long-term collaboration between Norway and Ireland, which again stems from our deep friendship and our shared values. I would like to acknowledge all volunteers whose efforts have been imperative to make this happen. "The retention of species is essential for maintaining the intricate web of life and the functioning of ecosystems. It contributes to the sustainable use of natural resources and the well-being of both present and future generations. Yet we now see a rapid loss of species world-wide. This development must be halted. The reintroduction of white-tailed sea eagles into their natural habitat is a great example of how we can work together against biodiversity loss.” |
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September 2023
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