Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach, na Teachtaí agus na Seanadóirí as a gcuid ama chun na moltaí tábhachtacha agus dearfacha seo a phlé inniu. I thank the Acting Chairman, the Deputies and the Senators for their time and for affording me the opportunity to present to the committee these proposed planning regulations.

As the Acting Chairman mentioned, they consist of the Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2022, which waive section 254 street furniture licence fees for the remainder of 2022 for tables, chairs and associated outdoor dining. As we all know, like many other sectors, the hospital and restaurant sector, and, indeed, the wider tourism sector, suffered the brunt of the measures to manage the Covid pandemic in recent years. I take this opportunity to commend all those and their representative groups on the positive way in which they engaged with the Government and the wider local government sector to work through what was a difficult two years. They are still bearing some of that brunt now. Business is, thankfully, improving but they still require support.

They have been subject to both temporary closures for considerable periods and to other restrictions, which have taken a heavy toll. We are committed to providing the necessary supports to assist these sectors. We have done so already, as the committee will be aware, through approximately €1.5 billion in rates waivers to business, many of which are in the hospitality and restaurant sector. This week, the Government made the decision, which I am sure we all support, to retain the 9% VAT rate at a saving to the sector or cost to the Exchequer of €250 million. When one looks at all the other business supports that we have been able to provide through the employment wage subsidy scheme, EWSS, and various other schemes, billions of euro in supports in business supports have been provided to keep businesses viable and, most importantly, to keep people working in what is a very important sector.

By way of clarification, there is no fee for awnings, canopies and heaters. We have exempted them as well from planning, as the committee will be aware, on a permanent basis. These regulations are extended to ensure that there will be no further fee for the remainder of this year for street licences for installing tables and chairs to facilitate the consumption of food outside hotels, restaurants, public houses and other establishments such as coffee shops. That is being reduced on a time-limited basis for the current year from €125 per table to zero. Furthermore, it remains the position that no fee will be applied on a permanent basis, as I stated already, in respect of awnings, heaters and ancillary equipment.

Under the provisions of the Planning and Development Act, I am required to obtain Oireachtas approval for any exempted development regulations or regulations amending fees for street furniture licences. Before I can sign them into law, I am presenting here to the committee. I am grateful for the committee facilitating the time to do this.

This is an important measure. Relatively small, costing in the region of €500,000, it has impacts on particular local authorities such as Dublin City Council, DCC, and Cork. We are working with them too on that.

This supports the outdoor dining experience for our citizens as well. It supports the continued pedestrianisation of many of our streets, which I very much welcome. I have had the pleasure of visiting many pedestrian streets in my constituency and throughout the country, in Cork, Dún Laoghaire and other places. It is something I would encourage local authorities to continue with.

This defrays some costs allowing businesses to supplement their income by additional dining facilities there. It is a continued measure to support these businesses in post-pandemic times following the effect that the pandemic has had on their bottom line.

Further to today's presentation to the committee, these draft regulations will be subsequently approved by a positive resolution of both Houses of the Oireachtas, as required by the planning Act.

They will come into force as soon as they are signed by me, as Minister. If approved by the Oireachtas, it will be my intention to sign the regulations into law at the very earliest opportunity. It goes without saying that I will be happy to take any questions members of the committee have, or indeed comments or feedback.