Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 202: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the conditions placed on multi-unit developments for the provision of recycling facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35583/10]

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Section 34(4)(k) of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 provides that a planning authority may attach conditions to a planning permission requiring the provision of facilities for the collection or storage of recyclable materials for the purposes of the proposed development. It is a matter for the relevant planning authority, and An Bord Pleanála in the event of an appeal, to decide what conditions it is appropriate, in the interests of the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, to attach to a particular planning permission.

My Department issued Sustainable Urban Housing – Design Standards for New Apartments to planning authorities in September 2007. On the matter of recycling, the Guidelines recommend that:

· the communal storage area should be sufficient to satisfy the 3-bin system for the collection of mixed dry recyclables, organic waste and residual waste,

· Consideration should be given to the provision of separate collection facilities for other recyclables such as glass and plastics.

My Department's Guidelines on Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities (2007) also recommend that in the layout of apartment schemes, consideration should be given to providing for communal storage/refuse collection points, including separate storage for recyclable materials as required by the local authority for the area. The Guidelines state that such areas should be located and designed so as not to detract from the visual quality of the development while not compromising the need to ensure convenience and accessibility as well as safety and security for residents and management/ maintenance personnel using the facilities. The guidelines are available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie .