Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Question 492: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on reviewing the planning regulations regarding the provision of carparking facilities for long established licensed premises having regard to the severe financial imposition where there is a limited annual turnover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21444/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I assume that the Question refers to conditions attached to planning permissions requiring the payment of development contributions.

Development contributions are a key mechanism in ensuring that the local community gains from new developments. Section 48 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 provides that planning authorities may levy development contributions in respect of public infrastructure and facilities provided by, or on behalf, of the local authority that benefit development in the area, based on a scheme of contributions adopted for the area.

The Act requires local authorities to base the contributions levied on the actual estimated cost of providing the infrastructure in question. It is also important to note that development contribution schemes are adopted by the elected members of planning authorities after a public consultation process. This approach has been endorsed by the Oireachtas in the context of the Act. In May 2007 my Department published a report arising from the deliberations of an Inter-Departmental Committee on Development Contribution Schemes. This report was also accompanied by a guidance circular to all planning authorities which focused on a number of key issues identified by the Committee. Authorities were reminded of the need for extensive consultation with stakeholders in drawing up and administering schemes, the importance of openness and accountability, and the importance of achieving a balance between an appropriate level of development contribution charges and the need to attract future investment into their areas.

It is a matter for planning authorities to determine their own policy requirements in relation to the provision of off-street car-parking, for instance, through the inclusion of specific objectives in their Development Plans. In drafting the Development Plan, planning authorities are statutorily required to elicit the views and comments of any interested parties through a public consultation process at draft and material amendment stages. These views and comments are presented to the elected members by the Manager for their consideration.