Results 2,281-2,300 of 26,006 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Planning Issues (11 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Senator once again for raising this important matter. She has identified the issues. In her view, it is now about process. A review is currently under way of the planning guidelines for childcare facilities. Second, officials from my Department and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are engaging in updating the section 28 Childcare...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Fees for Certain Applications) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. XX) Regulations 2023: Discussion (11 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Cathaoirleach and members for affording me the opportunity to present to the committee these three sets of proposed draft planning regulations. The three sets of draft regulations consist of Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations 2023; Planning and Development (Fees for Certain Applications) Regulations 2023; and Planning and Development (Amendment)...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Fees for Certain Applications) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. XX) Regulations 2023: Discussion (11 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I do not have specific figures with me today but I will provide them-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Fees for Certain Applications) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. XX) Regulations 2023: Discussion (11 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: That is okay. We do not have specific details but the Department is aware that some local authorities are taking action in this regard. It is something we can follow up with them.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Fees for Certain Applications) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. XX) Regulations 2023: Discussion (11 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Deputy is probably aware councils are independent in their duties.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Fees for Certain Applications) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. XX) Regulations 2023: Discussion (11 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The officials are aware of the cases in Fingal, Kildare and south Dublin and they have followed up. There are two different issues here. On the issue today, as the Deputy is probably aware, there is a Cabinet sub-committee and a humanitarian response. That is a whole-of-government approach. They have come back and made this request. The five years is important in getting people to come...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Fees for Certain Applications) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. XX) Regulations 2023: Discussion (11 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The €2,500 is the same fee for pre-consultation for large-scale residential developments, LSRD. That is the basis of the fee. If someone has an opinion and go forward for full application, it depends on the circumstances. If there is not an environmental impact assessment, EIA, involved, it is double; if there is, it is treble the fee. It is a maximum of €100,000 or...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Fees for Certain Applications) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. XX) Regulations 2023: Discussion (11 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I can confirm-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Fees for Certain Applications) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. XX) Regulations 2023: Discussion (11 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: Sorry, please finish.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Fees for Certain Applications) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. XX) Regulations 2023: Discussion (11 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: Yes, with the County and City Management Association, CCMA. Generally, there is a broader discussion on reviewing planning fees overall but in this case it was agreed with the CCMA.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Fees for Certain Applications) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. XX) Regulations 2023: Discussion (11 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: There is weekly engagement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Fees for Certain Applications) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. XX) Regulations 2023: Discussion (11 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: There is a Cabinet sub-committee meeting on a broad range of areas. On the issue raised, enforcement lies with the local authority. Buildings should not be occupied unless they are in compliance with building regulations. We take that. We undertake to provide the information requested to the committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Fees for Certain Applications) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. XX) Regulations 2023: Discussion (11 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: There is a couple of aspects to that. First, this is a request that has come from the humanitarian response Cabinet sub-committee which is cross-departmental. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, have made this request on the basis that in terms of getting adequate accommodation on a temporary basis - there is a sunset clause up to 31 December 2028 - there is a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Fees for Certain Applications) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. XX) Regulations 2023: Discussion (11 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Senator makes a valid point but it would very much apply for commercial buildings that require refurbishment. What has come back from the Cabinet subcommittee is that there is not sufficient take-up of available accommodation from providers. We are in 2023. It is due to finish in a year-and-a-half. Therefore, as we stand at the moment, looking back there has been quite a large...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Fees for Certain Applications) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. XX) Regulations 2023: Discussion (11 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I suspect there will be a lot less media here.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Fees for Certain Applications) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. XX) Regulations 2023: Discussion (11 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The providers of properties are looking for maximum or the widest measures in terms of flexibility. This is a whole of Government decision. It is based on need. The Senator raises particular points but I refer to what is coming back from the market. We have a duty of care to people coming from Ukraine to provide accommodation. To get the requisite accommodation, we have to work with what...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Fees for Certain Applications) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. XX) Regulations 2023: Discussion (11 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Senator raises valid questions. I will make a couple of points. First, planning permission is normally given for a five-year period. There was the Derryadd judgment case recently with An Bord Pleanála. It basically raised the whole issue of the question of flexibility and that is why this regulation is being brought in. We want really to expedite renewable energy. We must...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Fees for Certain Applications) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. XX) Regulations 2023: Discussion (11 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: That will come down to the-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Fees for Certain Applications) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. XX) Regulations 2023: Discussion (11 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: It will be down to individual planners in the local authorities to make these assessments.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Fees for Certain Applications) Regulations 2023: Discussion
Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. XX) Regulations 2023: Discussion (11 Jul 2023)

Kieran O'Donnell: I will say two things. The first is that the regulations the Senator speaks of have only been in place since last November, which is a relatively short period. I cannot speak on behalf of the Cabinet committee but I expect that work is under way in that area. It is an ongoing review. Deputy Ó Broin referred to this issue already and we have very much taken on board what he said....