Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 502: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, with reference to the report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, he will provide a breakdown by each local authority of the funds collected by way of levies paid by developers which remain unspent; if he is satisfied that of the funds which were spent only approximately 15% was spent on community facilities; the measures he will put in place to address the information gap in regard to the amount of development contributions outstanding referred to in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32476/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Planning and Development Act 2000 introduced changes to the operation of the development contributions system, including the introduction of a statutory requirement that such contributions may now be levied only in accordance with a development contribution scheme drawn up by the planning authority and approved by the elected members following a public consultation process.

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. The apportionment of the monies levied as between different classes of infrastructure is a matter for the planning authority. As Minister, my role is to provide the necessary statutory and policy framework within which individual development contribution schemes are adopted by each local authority. Policy guidance on the issue was provided to planning authorities in the form of circular letters from my Department in 2003 and 2007.

My Department is currently considering whether further guidance is required for planning authorities on the operation of the development contributions system. The need for any legislative changes will also be assessed as part of the preparation of a General Scheme for the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill.

Details of individual development contribution schemes are available directly from each planning authority. Each planning authority is also required to include details of contributions received and contributions owing to it, together with information on how the contributions have been expended, in the statutory annual report of the authority. The most recent information available to the Department in relation to the amount of development contributions unspent by individual planning authorities is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.