asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the many private circumventions of the definition of the term "change of use" under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, particularly concerning the conversion of houses containing flat units; and if he proposes to take action on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - House Conversion Definition.
30.
The Deputy will appreciate that enforcement of the control provisions of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, is a matter for planning authorities and I understand that they do, in fact, take action in cases which come to their notice and which appear to contravene the law. While the provisions of the law in this respect appear to be reasonably clear, this is one of the provisions which I am having examined in connection with the Planning and Development Bill.
Apart from the provisions of the Planning and Development Act, are there any other considerations such as fire hazards, the danger to life and limb by subdividing, bad wiring, no fire escapes and excessive density? Would the Parliamentary Secretary not have these things, which constitute a very serious problem, examined outside altogether of the provisions of the Planning Acts?
If the Deputy knows of any particular development which is failing in these respects I shall be only too glad to look into the matter.