Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Fianna Fáil welcomes the continuation of these exemptions for the HSE in order to use certain public buildings as public vaccination and testing centres. The regulations outlined in section 181 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 facilitated the emergency development and change of use of buildings to ensure that any temporary facilities required to respond to the Covid-19 emergency could be developed without the need for planning consent for the temporary period of the emergency. However, these regulations are linked to the Covid-19 pandemic and will expire when Part 3 of the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020 ceases to have effect on 31 March this year.

The Department of Health has confirmed that there will be a continuing requirement to avail of non-medical buildings until the end of 2022 for use as Covid-19 vaccination and testing centres, hence the need for the temporary extension. The change of use is limited to a period of up to 12 months and the regulations will expire two years after their commencement. It is a reasonable requirement. There is logic behind it. We are taking advice from the HSE on its need to serve the public and the public interest. Given that we are still dealing with the pandemic, I believe this regulation is in need of extension. I am happy to support that.