Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 342: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if an amendment to the Planning and Development Act 2000 will be made to allow ownership of a certain portion of the overall number of child care facilities built as a condition of planning permission to be handed over by the developer to the relevant planning authority in order that same can be leased to not for profit community child care groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39446/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Planning authorities currently require the provision of at least one child care facility for each 75 dwellings in a new housing area, in accordance with the child care guidelines for planning authorities published in April 2001. Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, planning authorities have extensive powers to provide or facilitate the provision of child care facilities in their functional area, through appropriate strategic planning through the development plan, the setting of appropriate conditions on planning permissions and the use of development contributions to pay for the capital cost of community facilities. I am satisfied that these powers, used proactively, will facilitate an adequate supply of child care places through the planning process and accordingly, it is not proposed to amend the Act in this respect.