344. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of the Monard Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) in Cork; and the proposed timelines and targets regarding same. [66440/26]

The Monard Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) was designated by the Government in May 2010 and the associated Planning Scheme was approved by An Bord Pleanála in May 2011, in accordance with Sections 166 and 169 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended), respectively. Cork County Council is the development agency responsible for the delivery and implementation of the Monard Strategic Development Zone.

The provisions relating to SDZs under the Act of 2000 are due to be replaced following the commencement of the relevant sections of the Planning and Development Act 2024.

Part 21 of the Act of 2024 - Strategic Development Zones, contains provisions for the continuation of existing SDZs. Sites designated under Section 166 of the Act of 2000 for the establishment of Strategic Development Zones shall, unless such designation is revoked, continue as SDZs for the purposes for which they were originally designated. Part 21 of the Act of 2024 also provides for applications for development within an SDZ and for the amendment of an existing Planning Scheme.

It should be noted that the procedures for designating new SDZ sites and preparing new Planning Schemes have not been restated, as no new SDZs will be designated under the Act of 2024. The Act also includes provisions requiring the Minister, within 12 months of the commencement of Part 22, to review existing SDZ designations and make recommendations to the Government regarding the revocation or amendment of certain SDZ orders, including the phasing out of sites or parts of sites where Planning Schemes have not been made.

Urban Development Zones (UDZ) will replace the SDZ concept. Circular 2025/01 notified planning authorities and other key stakeholders of the commencement of Chapters 1 and 2 of Part 22 of the Act of 2024 by way of the Planning and Development Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 239 of 2025) coming into effect from 9 June 2025. These provisions set out the initial steps available to planning authorities in a broader process concerning the designation of a candidate ‘urban development zone’ or ‘UDZ’.

Section 597 of the Act of 2024 provides that a planning authority may identify sites in its functional area where development may be of significant economic, social or environmental benefit to the State and be in the common good. Such sites are referred to as “suitable sites”. While no local authority has made a request for UDZ designation to date, my Department continues to engage with local authorities in relation to the identification of ‘suitable sites’. Commencement of further provisions within Part 22 are necessary to allow for progression of the broader UDZ statutory process, including public consultation and environmental assessment. These new legislative provisions will provide for an updated and more flexible approach to the masterplanning and delivery of areas with significant potential for large-scale development and the associated necessary infrastructure.

The remaining provisions of Parts 21 and 22 of the Act of 2024 are due to commence in the Autumn of 2026.

The identification of potential UDZs (and other areas of significant growth) will also be informed by the establishment of a New Urban Communities Taskforce, as set out in the Government's housing action plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities. The Taskforce will provide a dedicated focus to the identification of locations for the delivery of housing growth at scale and will work with the newly established Housing Activation Office and infrastructure providers to evaluate and prioritise the infrastructural needs of these areas. The Taskforce will report on progress to me and will also liaise with the Housing Activation Delivery Group and Housing Activation Industry Group.