Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

711. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government on whom the duty lies to enforce An Bord Pleanála planning conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23559/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There are extensive enforcement provisions provided for in Part VIII of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, with a view to ensuring that works pertaining to permitted developments are carried out in accordance with the planning permission granted and any associated conditions and that no unauthorised development takes place.

Under planning legislation, enforcement of planning control is a matter for the relevant planning authority which can take action if a development does not have the required permission, or where the terms of a permission have not been met. This includes the enforcement of planning conditions which have been set down by An Bord Pleanála.

Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case, including an enforcement issue, with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned.

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

712. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if developers are entitled to claim contribution and Uisce Éireann connection waivers after the commencement of works, despite planning conditions as set out by An Bord Pleanála not being adhered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23560/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On 25 April 2023, the Government approved additional measures under the Housing for All Action Plan to incentivise the activation of increased housing supply and help reduce housing construction costs, including the introduction of temporary time-limited arrangements for the waiving of local authority “section 48” development contributions and the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and waste water connection charges.

The Government recognised that further measures needed to be put in place to help address cost and viability with a view to incentivising the activation of a pipeline of new housing commencements, and assisting in the delivery of supply as quickly as possible. The waiver scheme applied to all permitted residential development including multi-unit developments, self-build houses and one-off houses, student accommodation and sheltered housing.

The schemes initially applied for one year to all permitted residential development that commenced on site between 25 April 2023 (the date of the Government Decision approving the measure) and 24 April 2024, and that are completed not later than 31 December 2025. On 23 April 2024, the Government approved an extension for the waiving of local authority “section 48” development contributions in respect of residential development commenced not later than 31 December 2024 and the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and waste water connection charges in respect of residential development commenced not later than 30 September 2024.

In April 2024, the final date for the completion of development works on qualifying houses under the schemes was extended from 31 December 2025 to 31 December 2026. The following links to my Department's website provide details of the Circulars and guidance documents governing eligibility to the schemes.

www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/circulars/circular-pl-042023-temporary-time-limited-waiver-in-respect-of-development-contributions/ .

www.gov.ie/ga/an-roinn-tith%C3%ADochta-rialtais-%C3%A1it%C3%BAil-agus-oidhreachta/ciorclain/circular-pl-082023-temporary-time-limited-waiver-in-respect-of-development-contributions-operational-guidance-for-local-authorities/ .

www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/circulars/circular-pl-022024-extension-of-the-temporary-development-contribution-waiver-and-uisce-%C3%A9ireann-water-connection-charge-refund-arrangements/ .

assets.gov.ie/static/documents/circular-pl-07-2024-dcs-year-end-deadlines.pdf .