Expanded CPO powers and wider role in home delivery planned for Land Development Agency
Housing minister James Browne's proposed legislation would allow the state agency to operate in towns with populations of more than 10,000 and to develop private-purchase homes in mixed housing schemes. File picture
The Land Development Agency (LDA) is set to be handed expanded compulsory purchase powers and a wider role in housing delivery under legislation due before Cabinet on Wednesday.
Housing minister James Browne's proposed legislation would allow the state agency to operate in towns with populations of more than 10,000 and to develop private-purchase homes in mixed housing schemes. At present, the agency's remit is limited to larger urban areas with populations exceeding 30,000.
The bill would also give the Government the power to direct commercial State bodies to transfer land to the LDA and expand the circumstances in which the agency can use compulsory purchase powers.
Further measures would clarify how State grant funding can be used to support the LDA's non-commercial activities, particularly in strategic development and urban development zones.
There is also a proposed change in the percentage of affordable and social homes that must be built on relevant public land.
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Currently, this mix is 80% in towns with a population above 150,000 such as Dublin and Cork, and 50% elsewhere, but the new plans will allow the LDA to offer 30% private-purchase options in Dublin and Cork for the first time.
Government sources say the current rules, when combined with the 20% Part V obligation reserved for social and affordable housing, mean there are "no options in practicality for a private buyer to buy a house/apartment in the development".
Social protection minister Dara Calleary, meanwhile, will tell ministers that the appeals process within his department has halved since 2024.
In 2025, the Department of Social Protection made almost 3.6m decisions on social welfare claims. Approximately 1% of these decisions were appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
The average processing time for appeals in 2024 was 24 weeks. Processing times in 2026 to the end of June had reduced to 12 weeks.
Also at Cabinet on Wednesday, transport minister Darragh O'Brien will bring a memo to Government for approval of a vehicle adaptation scheme to provide a "needs-based, cost-reimbursement approach" to supporting vehicle adaptations for people with disabilities.
The scheme will be open to all those with a need for assistance to enter, exit, or operate a vehicle and will not be means-tested.
It will be open for applications in the first quarter of 2027.
Enterprise minister Peter Burke will bring a memo on the final report on the Cost of Business Advisory Forum which contains 63 recommendations, deliverable over the short, medium, and long term.
Agriculture minister Martin Heydon will seek Government permission to approve drafting of the Deforestation and Forest Degradation Bill 2026.
Minister for children, disability, and equality Norma Foley will update Cabinet on the implementation of the 'First 5' anti-childhood poverty plan.
- Paul Hosford is Deputy Political Editor.
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