asked the Minister for Local Government if he will cause an immediate inquiry to be held into the circumstances in which a developer has not completed road development, et cetera, in a building estate known as Saint Patrick's Avenue, Portarlington, County Offaly or fulfilled all the terms of the local authority's planning permission; if all grants in respect of these houses have been paid to the developer; if he is aware of the grave dissatisfaction of those who have purchased houses and who now find that the scheme has not been satisfactorily completed with road, paths or lights; and what action he proposes to take in the interests of those who have paid for their houses on the understanding that all such facilities would be available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Offaly Building Estate.
117.
The State grants for the houses have been fully paid. Three of the grants were paid to the person who built the houses and the remaining grants were paid to the purchasers of the houses.
I do not think that an inquiry would be appropriate. The local planning authority, Offaly County Council, have specific powers under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, to ensure that development is carried out in accordance with the terms of the planning permission given. For example, where development has not been carried out in conformity with the permission, the planning authority may serve an enforcement notice under section 35 of the Act on the person who commenced development or on any other person who has carried out or is carrying out development authorised by the permission. Non-compliance with an enforcement notice is an offence and carries legal penalties. It is a matter for the council to take such steps as they consider appropriate in accordance with their powers to secure the completion of the roads and other services on this estate.