Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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412. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to outline his plans to review planning legislation to allow the change of use of vacant commercial properties in cities, towns and villages, including vacant or under-utilised areas over ground floor premises, into residential units without going through the planning process as outlined in point 6 of the Action Plan for Rural Development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19744/17]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Overall responsibility for the Action Plan for Rural Development, which was launched on 23 January 2017, rests with my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. However, as the proposal listed at Action 6 therein relates to a planning matter, its delivery falls to my Department.

The proposed action - allowing for the change of use of vacant commercial premises in urban areas, including vacant or under-utilised areas over groundfloor premises, into residential units without having to go through the planning process - was also reflected in the Government's Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness published in July 2016.

My Department is currently progressing the drafting of the necessary revisions to the planning regulations to give effect to this action. It is intended that the new regulations, which will require the approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas, will be made before the Oireachtas Summer recess.