Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

I hope the Minister will look with favour on my proposal regarding planning approvals which were granted in 2004 to people, particularly young couples and members of the indigenous community, for one-off houses. Those planning approvals are due to expire this year. The applicants are finding it extremely difficult in the current climate to obtain a mortgage or financing to build the house for which they have planning approval.

I ask the Minister and the Department to examine the possibility of permitting local authorities to grant a three-year extension to these approvals. The reason I seek a three-year extension is that, in light of the current economic situation, three years might give people the opportunity to obtain the finances required to build their houses. I do not call for developers to be given a three-year extension but that it should be given to individuals who sought and received planning permission for one-off houses.

Consider the cost of reapplying for planning permission. I met a couple last weekend who told me that it cost them €2,500 to reapply for permission this year for the house for which they were approved in 2004. That is a huge cost. It might provide finance for architects and keep them employed, but it is a burden for young, local couples. In many cases the planning permission is expiring and these couples are not reapplying, with the result that they are on the local authority housing list. It would be a progressive step if we granted to those young couples in particular who have applied for permission a three-year extension. It would allow them to continue to save to build up their resources in the hope that they would build a house in the next three years. Otherwise we are burdening the local authority in terms of housing lists. That is a burden we cannot afford given that many people are going on to local authority housing lists throughout the country.

I am not sure of the legalities of this issue or whether legislation would be required, and I am not sure whether the Department would consider it. I am requesting it today because many people, including county councillors, have raised this issue with me. While I do not expect a conclusive response today, I hope the Department will at least consider the proposal.