Planning and Development Act 2024

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Functions of Office

546. (1) The functions of the Office are as follows:

(a) to consult the Minister, regional assemblies, planning authorities and, as appropriate, other persons, in relation to plans and strategies made under this Act, including for the purposes of ensuring compliance with sections 28 , 29 , 42 , 43 , 71 , 72 and 73 ;

(b) to evaluate and assess and, where relevant, make observations and recommendations in respect of the preparation and making of—

(i) regional spatial and economic strategies, draft regional spatial and economic strategies, revisions or proposed revisions and expedited amendments to same,

(ii) development plans, draft development plans, variations or proposed variations and expedited amendments to same, and

(iii) urban area plans, priority area plans and coordinated area plans and drafts, amendments or proposed amendments to same,

in accordance with Chapters 4 , 5 and 6 of Part 3 ;

(c) to review existing regional spatial and economic strategies and development plans to ensure consistency with new or amended National Planning Polices and Measures made in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 3;

(d) where so directed by the Minister, to issue a draft direction, and to recommend that the Minister issues a direction, in accordance with section 39 , 64 or 79 ;

(e) to consider the report prepared by a regional assembly in accordance with section 35 to monitor progress in implementing a regional spatial and economic strategy and make recommendations to the Minister in respect of same;

(f) to conduct research, including research at the request of the Minister, as to what constitutes proper planning and sustainable development;

(g) to conduct education and training programmes and research as provided for by section 549 and programmes designed to enhance public awareness in relation to planning matters;

(h) to conduct reviews of the performance by the Commission and by planning authorities of their respective functions and to report to the Minister in relation to such reviews, in accordance with Chapter 3;

(i) to oversee the delivery of effective planning services to the public by planning authorities including having regard to—

(i) any relevant indicator (within the meaning of Part 12A of the Act of 2001) identified by the National Oversight and Audit Commission or prescribed under section 126C(1) of that Act, or

(ii) regulations made by the Minister under section 134A(7) of the Act of 2001;

(j) to prepare an annual report in accordance with section 565 on the performance of its own functions;

(k) to prepare a strategy statement for the Office in accordance with section 550 ;

(l) to make such observations as it considers appropriate to the Minister, or in its annual reports or otherwise, in relation to the following:

(i) regional spatial and economic strategies under Chapter 4 of Part 3 , development plans under Chapter 5 of Part 3 , and urban area plans, priority area plans and coordinated area plans under Chapter 6 of Part 3;

(ii) National Planning Statements under Chapter 3 of Part 3 ;

(iii) draft directions and directions under section 39 , 40 , 64 , 65 , 79 or 80 ;

(iv) codes of conduct under section 569 ;

(v) any legislation or other matters relating to proper planning and sustainable development;

(m) to evaluate and assess strategic transport plans made by the National Transport Authority in accordance with section 12 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 and to issue a notice as provided for by subsection (10) of that section.

(2) The Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, by order confer on the Office such additional functions connected with the functions for the time being of the Office as the Minister determines, subject to such conditions (if any) as may be specified in the order.

(3) An order under subsection (2) may contain such incidental, supplementary and additional provisions as may, in the opinion of the Minister, be necessary to give full effect to the order.

(4) Without prejudice to subsection (1) of section 547 , the Minister and the Planning Regulator may, from time to time, consult each other on matters relating to the functions of the Office and of the Planning Regulator.