Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 283: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he or the local authorities accept any liability for the removal of asbestos from homes when it was installed as a condition of adequate insulation in grant assisted extensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44057/09]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department's involvement with the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability relates primarily to the recoupment of a proportion of local authority expenditure on the payment of individual grants. The detailed administration of these schemes, including the assessment and approval of individual applications and the payment of grants to householders, is the responsibility of the relevant local authority. The choice and specification of the building materials used in grant-assisted housing adaptations and extensions are matters for the individual householders concerned and the terms and conditions of the grant schemes do not prescribe particular insulation materials that must be used. My Department is not aware of any instances where asbestos was used as an insulant in any grant-assisted works or extensions under the schemes.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 284: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if provisions are been made for planning extensions for zoned lands that have been granted planning permissions and no extensions are considered to one off houses; the reason for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44058/09]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 285: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will consider extending the planning permission for one off houses who have been granted permission but are unable to proceed to the building stage due to the current economic climate; the current guidelines for the expiry of planning permission and the cost of re-applying for planning permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44061/09]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 284 and 285 together.

Under section 42 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, a planning permission must, on application, be extended for a period of up to 5 years, provided that the development commenced before the expiration of the planning permission and that substantial works were carried out during the period of the permission. Section 23 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 amends section 42 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to provide that a planning permission must, on application, be extended for up to 5 years even where substantial works have not been carried out or the development has not been commenced, provided that the authority is satisfied that there were considerations of a commercial, economic or technical nature beyond the control of the applicant which substantially militated against either the commencement of development or the carrying out of substantial works pursuant to the planning permission. This provision applies to all permissions. The Bill is currently progressing through the Houses of the Oireachtas and will be enacted as soon as possible.