Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 765: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will bring forward amending legislation to change the provisions of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 in order that developers may be required to construct purpose built childcare facilities within large-scale housing developments and sell them to the local authorities at cost price thus introducing a system whereby community childcare providers can reduce cost and pass these savings on to young families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27633/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Planning authorities currently require the provision of at least one childcare facility for each 75 dwellings in a new housing area, in accordance with the Childcare 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 childcare 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 childcare places through the planning process. Accordingly, I do not propose to amend the Act in this respect.