asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state the number of persons in County Dublin and in the city area who have lodged plans for the erection of new houses for themselves in the county area, the number of such plans, etc., which have been turned down by the county commissioner on the advice of his town planning officer; if he will give any reasons why these plans should be turned down; further, if he will state the number of plans for all types of buildings, which have been rejected by the county commissioner on the advice of his town planning officer, and the reasons for such rejections; and if he is aware that every obstacle is placed in the way of people who are anxious to build their own houses in County Dublin and thereby provide some relief of the present acute housing shortage.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Erection of Houses in County Dublin.
During the nine months ended 30th September last 250 plans for 3,595 houses were submitted to the Commissioner for Dublin County Council for approval under the Town and Regional Planning Acts. Of these, 46 plans representing 444 houses were rejected on the grounds that they conflicted with the local authority's proposals or were not in accordance with the building by-laws. The commissioner approved 204 plans relating to 3,151 houses. During the same period 64 plans in respect of 69 premises, other than houses, were submitted. Of these, plans in respect of 60 premises were approved and nine rejected for similar reasons. From these figures it will be seen that less than one-fifth of the plans for houses were rejected and that these involved about one-eighth of the number of houses. There is no justification for the statement that every obstacle is placed in the way of persons anxious to build houses. The question of the approval or rejection of plans submitted under the Town Planning Acts is a matter, in the first instance, for the commissioner. Aggrieved parties may appeal to the Minister. If the Deputy requires particulars in respect of periods earlier than the present year I can arrange to have them compiled by the county council and sent to him.