Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 671: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the guidelines issued by his Department governing the requirement that planning permission be sought by house holders who wish to provide off street parking at their residences and that this application for planning has to comply with all the requirements of large applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12941/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In the first instance, the maintenance and improvement of public roads, including modifications to associated public footpaths, would normally be a matter for the relevant roads authority and not for private householders.

Under class 6, schedule 2, Part 1 of the 2001 Regulations, the provision of a hard surface within the curtilage of a house is exempt from the requirement to obtain planning permission, subject to certain conditions. Specifically, the exemption is for the provision, inter alia, to the front or side of the house of a hard surface for the parking of not more than 2 motor vehicles used for a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the house. The exemption is subject to the condition that the level of the ground shall not be altered by more than 1 metre above or below the level of the adjoining ground.

Works outside the above parameters relating to private roads or footpaths, or to public footpaths in the context of private development, would require planning permission. Given the potential implications of such works for road safety, neighbouring properties or the appearance of a street, the requirements of the current Regulations, which have been endorsed by both Houses of the Oireachtas, are considered reasonable and appropriate.