Niall Collins (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 382: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to extend the period of time applicable to planning permissions granted but not commenced in view of the slow down in the construction sector coupled with the ongoing delays in local authorities providing new and upgraded sewage infrastructure with many planning permission commencements conditional on these improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16575/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Planning permissions are typically granted for a period of 5 years, though a planning authority may, having regard to the nature and extent of the relevant development and any other material consideration, specify a longer period during which a permission is to have effect. Where a planning permission expires, the developer may seek an extension of the relevant period. Subject to compliance with certain requirements, including a requirement that substantial works were carried out pursuant to the permission during that period, a planning authority may extend the duration of a permission by such additional period as it considers necessary to enable the relevant development to be completed. This period may be further extended where the planning authority is satisfied that the relevant development has not been completed due to circumstances beyond the control of the developer.

These provisions are intended to allow flexibility within the planning system to accommodate the specific circumstances of individual developments. However, in current economic circumstances, I accept that situations may arise where, due to external circumstances beyond the reasonable control of a developer, it may not be possible to commence a development within the period originally specified in a planning permission, or to carry out substantial works under a permission.

Accordingly, in the context of the forthcoming Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009, I am considering proposals to give planning authorities further powers to extend the duration of planning permissions, in certain circumstances.

As to purported delays by local authorities in the provision of water services infrastructure, the length of time involved from first proposal of any particular water or sewerage scheme to completion of construction largely depends on the nature and complexity of the scheme and the statutory processes involved. There has been an emphasis in recent years on both addressing infrastructural deficiencies and establishing systems at Departmental level for monitoring the progress of projects and targets for dealing with procedural matters.

In the period 2000 - 2008, a total of 442 water and wastewater schemes were completed. These included many very large wastewater treatment plants in the cities and other large urban areas. The increase in wastewater treatment capacity since 2000 is equivalent to the needs of a population of 3.6 million. The Government is continuing to accord significant priority to water services investment, with €500 million being allocated in 2009, an increase of 1% over the 2008 out-turn.