Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 6

Written Answers. - Private Housing Developments.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

212 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the information, if any, he has received from the local authorities in relation to the number of private developments which have not been carried out in accordance with planning permission, which have not been completed and which have been completed or partially completed but have not been taken in charge by the local authority; the number of households affected in this way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11052/99]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

213 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has received any information or request for funds or assistance from Kildare County Council in relation to the taking in charge of services at private developments which for any reason have not been taken into the public charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11053/99]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 212 and 213 together.

The matters referred to are essentially matters for each local authority and my Department does not systematically collect information on them. However, the Department did carry out an informal survey last year among local authorities on the extent of the problems with unfinished housing estates and the factors contributing to such problems. Replies were received from 77 of the 88 planning authorities and revealed that 706 housing estates are regarded as unfinished and 1248 estates have not yet been taken in charge. The size of the estates varied in size from approximately two to 200 houses. From the information received it is not possible to estimate the number of houses affected.

The issue of unfinished estates is being considered in the context of the review of the Planning Acts. My proposals to deal with the enforcement of planning control, including unfinished estates, will be contained in the major Bill to reform and consolidate the Planning Acts which I hope to publish by mid-year.

Kildare County Council is among the planning authorities which responded to the Department's survey and stated that 103 estates were unfinished. The Department does not have any funds at its disposal for unfinished housing estates. Local authorities have been asked to ensure that permissions for development of housing estates are subject to a condition under which an acceptable security is provided by way of bond or otherwise so as to ensure the satisfactory completion of the estate.