366. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage given the regional capacity allocations for solar deployment, the way in which the Regional Renewable Energy Strategy will be implemented at local authority level; the methodology that will be used to decide which allocation is made to each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54382/26]

The Planning and Development Act 2024 and the Revised NPF (2025) provide the legislative and policy basis for the review and updating of Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies and local authority development plans.

Section 49 of the Act of 2024 obliges Local Authorities to prepare a strategy relating to environment and climate change while National Policy Objective 70 of the Revised NPF seeks to promote renewable energy use and generation at appropriate locations within the built and natural environment to meet national objectives towards achieving a climate neutral economy by 2050.

National Policy Objective 74 provides that each Regional Assembly must plan, through their Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES), for the delivery of the regional renewable electricity capacity allocations indicated for onshore wind and solar, and identify allocations for each of the local authorities, based on the best available scientific evidence and in accordance with legislative requirements, in order to meet the overall national target. The preparation of the three RSESs under the Act of 2024 commenced in March of this year.

National Policy Objective 75 provides that local authorities shall plan for the delivery of Target Power Capacity (MW) allocations consistent with the relevant Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy, through their City and County Development Plans.

A methodology to assist the Regional Assemblies prepare Regional Renewable Energy Strategies in a consistent and evidence-based manner was developed with input from Department of Climate, Energy and Environment (DCEE), my Department, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the three Regional Assemblies.

All three Regional Assemblies commenced the statutory RSES review process at the end of March of this year and are now preparing their draft strategies.

The preparation of 10 year local authority development plans under the Act of 2024 is due to commence from 2027 and these plans will need to be consistent with the NPF and relevant RSES.