merrion street

Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Housing Minister Simon Coveney today launched a major national consultation for the preparation of a strategic planning and development framework for Ireland between now and 2040. Today’s event is the first of two public consultation exercises and a series of regional and stakeholder events in preparing Ireland 2040 – Our Plan.

Speaking at the launch Taoiseach Enda Kenny said:

Ireland 2040 – Our Plan is a discussion about how to secure sustained, long-term and regionally balanced progress on social, economic and environmental fronts. Now is the time to think about the longer-term future of all parts of this island – and how to plan for that future. This is important and it is why it was included in our Programme for Government. With the return of stability there are a number of projections and challenges that are likely to be realised that we need to start planning for today. This paper is the start of a major consultation process so that we can avoid the planning mistakes of the past. Every community and every region needs to have their say.

Minister Coveney who is leading a high-level cross-Departmental team in developing the Ireland 2040 Plan set out the issues its preparation will address:

 While we face many challenges presently, we know we need to think ahead for a radically different Ireland of 2040 including;

• A national population increase of around 1 million people;
• More than one-fifth of Ireland’s total population being over 65;
• More than 500,000 additional people at work;
• 500,000 homes needing locations much closer to services and amenities; and
• Rebuilding community and commercial life in the hearts of our cities and towns and protecting the many qualities of our rural communities

We are now seeking the public’s views on what the issues are and how we can – together – address sprawl and lop-sided development, better utilisation of the potential of both urban and rural areas and avoid congestion and adverse impacts on people’s lives and the environment.

Full details are available on www.Ireland2040.ie  and the public are invited to contribute initial views by March 16^th next. Those views will be used to shape a draft copy of the Plan which is likely to issue for further consultation prior to the Summer. After further incorporation of the public’s views, a final version of the plan is likely to be submitted to Government in the Autumn.