Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

57. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the steps he will take to ensure that recycling facilities are provided in all apartment buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34390/20]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

59. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if planning permissions for apartment developments are now required to provide full recycling facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33998/20]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 59 together.

Whilst recycling is not specifically referred to in the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), development plans reflect the objectives of waste management plans applicable to their administrative area, which would generally include measures to promote recycling. In particular, section 10 of the Act requires all local authorities to include policies to support the provision, or facilitation of the provision of infrastructure including, inter alia, waste recovery and disposal facilities and any ancillary facilities or services in their development plans. This is in order to support sustainable development and the provision of services.

With specific regard to apartments, my Department issued the Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2018) under section 28 of the Act. These Guidelines include a section on design considerations for the provision of refuse storage facilities and note the following:

The following general design considerations should be taken into account in the provision of refuse storage facilities:

- Sufficient communal storage area to satisfy the three-bin system for the collection of mixed dry recyclables, organic waste and residual waste.

- In larger apartment schemes, consideration should also be given to the provision of separate collection facilities for other recyclables such as glass and plastics

Under planning legislation, the decision as to whether to grant permission on a planning application, with or without conditions, is a matter for the relevant planning authority or the Board on appeal or in the case of a strategic housing development.

In making decisions on a planning application, a planning authority, or the Board as appropriate, must consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, having regard to the provisions of the development plan, any submissions or observations received from the public and the statutory consultees, and any relevant Ministerial or Government policies, including any guidelines issued by my Department.