Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like to acknowledge that Deputy Ó Ríordáin has raised this Topical Issue relating to lift access in Clongriffin. On behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, the matter raised is one in which the Minister has no direct function. However, planning plays an important role in enabling the alignment of housing delivery with infrastructure provision through the policy measures of the development plan and also by way of planning conditions attached to a grant of permission.

As Clongriffin DART station is located in the administrative area of Fingal County Council, which has experienced a population growth of 34,000 people since 2016, it is acknowledged that the provision of, and access to, sustainable modes of public transport in urban areas is an essential service for the residents. The Department of Transport is aware of the matter that has been raised and has confirmed to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage that the lift in question, despite its intended function to provide access to Clongriffin DART station, is not owned or maintained by Irish Rail. It is also understood from the Department of Transport that the lift in question is located on private property and is not in the ownership of any State authority.

The ongoing maintenance of infrastructure such as lifts within private developments is not a planning matter, and furthermore the maintenance of lifts and communal spaces within or related to multi-unit developments or other private developments is a matter for the relevant management company.

It can be confirmed that the matter of the lifts and proposals to replace them with more appropriate access to the station was addressed by conditions attached to a grant of planning permission issued by An Bord Pleanála in 2020. As this is a specific case in which the relevant planning authority and the board had involvement, under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, the Minister with responsibility for planning shall not exercise any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or the board is or may be concerned, and is precluded from commenting.

It is understood that this matter has been raised directly by residents with Fingal County Council and the relevant management company. The council have confirmed that they are currently engaged with the relevant parties concerned to bring about a permanent solution to this issue, as a matter of priority.

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