Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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771. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 6 of 11 June 2015, the steps he has taken to engage with the credit institutions, banks and insurance firms that are providing bonds in order to assist local authorities in having estates taken in charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30244/15]

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the issues faced by some developers who are experiencing difficulties in obtaining the necessary bonds and securities necessarily required by planning conditions to effect the satisfactory completion of public infrastructure in housing developments. Learning from experience with unfinished housing developments, it is very important that effective safeguards are put in place to reassure residents. My Department is engaging with relevant stakeholders, including developers, bond and security providers and local authorities, with a view to exploring solutions to the current difficulties, including clarifying the bonds process and use of standard wordings acceptable across the sector. In relation to taking in charge, this is provided for under section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Section 180(1) provides, in relation to estates which have been completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority in accordance with the planning permission, that the planning authority must, if requested to do so by the developer or by the majority of the owners of the houses involved, initiate the procedures for taking the estate in charge.

Where estates which have not been completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority in accordance with the planning permission and enforcement proceedings have not been commenced within seven years of the expiration of the permission authorising the development, section 180(2) provides that the planning authority must, if requested to do so by the majority of the owners of the houses concerned initiate taking in charge procedures.

My Department is considering whether amendments are required to section 180 to improve the taking in charge process, in particular by the introduction of a time limit.