485. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will introduce a mandatory amenity plan for local authorities to put on future housing developments to ensure recreational amenities are introduced alongside all new housing, as outlined in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33430/26]

While the making of a development plan is a reserved function of the elected members of each planning authority under the Planning and Development Acts, the Development Plans Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2022) require that when making zoning decisions, consideration must be given to the future availability of (or the capacity to provide) supporting local community and amenity services and infrastructure, including recreation and sports facilities.

The Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines (2024) indicate that planning authorities should plan for an integrated network of well-designed neighbourhoods that can meet day-to-day needs (including sporting needs) within a 10 to 15-minute walk of all homes. In the case of larger settlements, the residents of less central neighbourhoods should have opportunities to travel by public transport and other sustainable modes such as greenways to access higher order services and amenities at more central and accessible locations.

Policy Objective 5.1 of these Guidelines states that statutory development plans include an objective(s) relating to the provision of public open space in new residential developments (and in mixed-use developments that include a residential element). The requirement in the development plan shall be for public open space provision of not less than a minimum of 10% of net site area and not more than a minimum of 15% of net site area save in exceptional circumstances. Different minimum requirements (within the 10-15% range) may be set for different areas. The Guidelines state that public open spaces should be designed to cater for a range of active and passive recreational needs (including play, physical activity, active travel, cultural uses and community gardens and allotments, as appropriate to the context).

Facilities to be funded by development contributions schemes made by elected members under section 48 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, and conditions attached to permissions requiring contributions to be made towards such schemes, may include open spaces, and recreational and community facilities.

In accordance with section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001, local authorities are independent in the performance of their functions.

The Deputy may be interested to note that Sport Ireland is a prescribed body for the purposes of plan-making in accordance with the Planning and Development (Prescribed Persons - Statutory Plans) Regulations 2025 (S.I. No. 458 of 2025), and accordingly may be consulted by planning authorities on the preparation of statutory plans.