Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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250. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he has reviewed development levy policies by local authorities in the light of the transition of water services to Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33775/15]

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Further to the establishment of Irish Water with effect from 1 January 2014, planning authorities were requested in Circular PS 21/2013 issued by my Department on 30 December 2013 to operate revised procedures in relation to the application of development contribution levies. In respect of planning permissions granted prior to 1 January 2014, planning authorities were advised that the full development contribution charge (where such was attached as a condition of the planning permission), including, where relevant, the portion in respect of water services infrastructure, must be paid to the planning authority in accordance with the terms of the permission.

In respect of planning permissions granted after 1 January 2014, planning authorities were advised that when granting planning permission, they should no longer include a portion in respect of water services infrastructure in any development contribution applied and that such charges would instead be levied by Irish Water. Planning authorities were further advised that new development schemes made after that date should not contain charges in respect of water services infrastructure.

I am not aware of any non-compliance by planning authorities with the terms of Circular PS 21/ 2013. It is intended to issue further guidance on development contributions in due course, to assist local authorities in the implementation of changes to the development contribution regime as provided for in the recently-enacted Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015.