For Publications and Consultation Papers click here.
Publications
A number of documents have been published to highlight the issues and choices we face in planning for Ireland’s future over the next 20 years.
English
Gaeilge
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Strategic Environmental Assessment is a process for evaluating, at the earliest appropriate stage, the environmental consequences of implementing plan / programme initiatives prepared by authorities at a national, regional or local level or which are prepared by an authority for adoption through legislative means. The purpose is to ensure that the environmental consequences of plans and programmes are assessed both during their preparation and prior to adoption. The SEA process also gives interested parties an opportunity to comment on the environmental impacts of the proposed plan or programme and to be kept informed during the decision making process.
The European Directive (2001/42/EC) on the Assessment of the Effects of Certain Plans and Programmes on the Environment (the SEA Directive), was transposed into national legislation in Ireland by the European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 435/2004) and the Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 436/2004), as amended.
Under Article 3 of the Directive, an environmental assessment shall be carried out for plans and programmes, including those related to land use planning. The Department undertook SEA Screening in 2016 and determined that SEA of the NPF would be required (see to Section 3.1.1 for more information on the screening process). The next step in the SEA process requires definition of the scope and level of detail of the information to be included in the Environmental Report. A scoping report has been prepared and can be viewed here (link to scoping report).
Other Publications
Spatial Mapping
In partnership with the All Island Research Observatory based at Maynooth University, the Department are utilising spatial mapping and analysis as part of the evidence base that will inform the National Planning Framework.
As part of this work, a National Planning Framework Map Viewer is being coordinated by AIRO where all mapping information related to the project will be accessible and viewed.
This viewer can be accessed here.
Information Leaflet
February 2017
(Click to enlarge)
