Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien (pictured) has published a bill which puts the Land Development Agency (LDA) on a statutory footing.

Under the Land Development Agency (LDA) Bill 2021, the agency's core objectives are to undertake strategic land assembly and fully utilise state lands to build affordable homes and sustainable communities.

The bill, which will be brought through the Oireachtas in this Dáil session, will focus initially on public land in towns of over 10,000 people.

Affordability requirement

Under the proposed legislation, the agency will report to Government on public lands which could be suitable for housing or urban development. The Government can then order these lands to be transferred to the agency.

The LDA will have first refusal to buy public lands being put up for sale.

Under the bill, the Minister for Housing will specify an affordability requirement for the delivery of affordable homes for sale or rent on public lands. This can be varied on sites in different areas depending on local housing needs.

The agency can also provide services to local authorities for the development of large sites for housing and urban development in urban centres of more than 30,000 people. This is expected to boost construction of social housing on sites owned by local authorities.

Land transfers

Under the proposals, local authorities can also transfer lands to the LDA without requiring a council vote.

Minister O’Brien said the initial general scheme of the bill had been amended, in response to pre-legislative scrutiny, to include greater flexibility on the affordability requirement and more clarity on the transfer of public lands to the LDA.

“There is also a specific commitment to sustainable communities and best environmental practice, while the agency will be subject to Freedom of Information and enhanced Oireachtas committee accountability,” he said.