Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 307: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amendments that will be made to the existing Residential Density Guidelines in order to deal with the design and management of apartments. [18663/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Residential Density were published by my Department in 1999. These included a specific objective of reducing urban sprawl and promoting greater efficiency in the use of energy, transport and natural resources. The Guidelines also aim to assist in achieving high quality residential density of a suitable scale at appropriate locations, in conjunction with improved public transport systems.

My Department intends to review the Guidelines with a view to up-dating them later this year. The revised Guidelines will focus particularly on the quality of new developments. They will also take account of the extensive experience built up since the introduction of the Guidelines in the design, assessment and development of higher density proposals. My Department has commissioned a research study into apartment size and space standards to inform the revised planning guidelines on residential densities. This study is nearing finalisation and will then be the subject of a consultation process.

Apartment complex management companies are a means of ensuring that the communal aspect of this type of housing can operate effectively. A Law Reform Commission Working Group is currently examining legal aspects of the management of multi-unit structures generally and the Government will consider the recommendations in its final report, including the need for any new legislation in this area.