John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

315. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if there is a national policy to support downsizing domestic residences as family size decreases once children have left the family home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29197/21]

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

Firstly, it is settled Government policy to support older people to live in their own homes and communities with dignity and independence for as long as possible, as this has the best outcomes both for the individual and for society as a whole.

My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Health, is developing policy options for supported housing/housing with care in accordance with the principles of the joint policy statement, "Housing Options for Our Ageing Population". This policy statement was published by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the Department of Health in 2019. The policy statement is available on my Department's website at:

www.housing.gov.ie/housing/special-housing-needs/older-people/housing-options-our-ageing-population-policy-statement.

A number of the 40 Actions in the Joint Statement consider the issue of rightsizing within the context of providing a variety of housing options for older people depending on their circumstances.   Many local authorities already provide for such a scheme for their tenants.

My Department and the Policy Implementation Group are examining such options and a number of research projects are informing this work.  It is intended that the Implementation Group will provide its final report addressing each of the 40 actions, including those relating to rightsizing, by the end of 2021. Consideration of ageing in place and rightsizing is also taking place as we prepare the Government's new Housing Strategy - Housing for All.

John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

316. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if consideration has been given to devising new guidelines for the construction of structures in the back gardens of residences for the purpose of home offices in view of the changes that have already happened and are likely to occur in the development of home working options; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29198/21]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

A wide range of exemptions from planning permission are already provided for under Section 4 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, (the Act) and Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, (the Regulations). Such exemptions are provided for when they are considered to be consistent with proper planning and sustainable development.

Under Class 1 of Schedule 2 of the Regulations, an extension to an existing house up to a limit of 40 square metres is exempted development, with additional conditions and limitations set out in the Regulations.

Class 3 of Schedule 2 of the Regulations provides for a further exemption in respect of the construction, erection or placing within the curtilage of a house of any tent, awning, shade or other object, greenhouse, garage, store, shed or other similar structure. Similarly, this exemption is also subject to conditions and limitations as set out in the Regulations, including that it should be for the sole purpose of being incidental to the enjoyment of the house.

It should be noted that the exemptions outlined are for the sole use of the home owner and not, for example, for the purpose of facilitating the establishment of a commercial enterprise. Such development would be classed as a material change of use - i.e. a change of use of a property from residential use to commercial use - and would therefore require planning permission. An application for such permission provides an opportunity for members of the public to make submissions or observations in respect of the proposed development while also providing the planning authority with the opportunity to consider a range of potential impacts, such as increased traffic, in the area that may result from any such proposed change of use.

If a person wishes to establish whether or not planning permission is required for a specific development proposal, they can seek a declaration from their local authority under Section 5 of the Act.

As outlined, the current legislation provides for the construction of certain structures in the back gardens of residences, including for the purpose of home offices.  Accordingly, I do not have any plans for the making of further legislative changes or the issuing of new guidelines in this regard at this time.