Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 Mar 2000

Vol. 516 No. 4

Written Answers. - Bed and Breakfast Accommodation.

Noel Ahern

Question:

96 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when the regulations allowing residential properties to have up to four bedrooms in bed and breakfast accommodation without planning permission were introduced; the study, if any, undertaken of the negative effects on surrounding neighbours; if he will set up a group to consider this in view of the fact business on this level is causing annoyance and nuisance to residents in some estates which were not built for or ever intended to have this activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8416/00]

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

The exemption from planning permission of the use of up to four bedrooms in a dwelling house for overnight accommodation, provided that no other planning condition or permission is breached by such use, was introduced in the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations, 1994 – S.I. No 86 of 1994. The aim of the exemption was to introduce certainty as to the point at which the use of bedrooms for overnight accommodation requires planning permission. My Department has not carried out a study on the effect of this exemption and there are no plans to set up a group to examine the matter.