Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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145. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if the review of planning legislation to allow the change of use of vacant commercial properties in cities, town and villages, as outlined in the Action Plan for Rural Development, action 6, has taken place; if not, the stage the review is at; when the results will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23392/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, 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 Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness - Rebuilding Ireland, published in July 2016.

My Department is presently 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.