My first question at today’s (16th May) Municipal District meeting, ‘Can the council clarify how and why the community benefit of ten acres promised by then Minister for Defence Simon Coveney has been withheld, including in the answer; the council’s rationale for refusing to take ownership of the land from the Department; and what if any discussion was had or commitment required of the developer in relation to the promised ten acre community benefit?

Here is the report issued by: Mr T McDonnell, Director of Service Housing and Corporate Services : Discussions with the Department have identified their understanding that the community benefit was realised when part of the lands were transferred from their ownership to allow the construction of school facilities. Kildare County Council has not refused to take ownership of lands from the Department.

Report Issued by: Mr Mark McLoughlin, Administrative Officer, Planning Section : The Planning Department has held pre-planning discussions with the developer in accordance with Section 247 of the Planning and Development Acts 2000, as amended and Section 5 of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016. The pre-planning process cannot address matters extraneous to the application in question.