Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Nov 2002

Vol. 558 No. 1

Written Answers. - Planning Regulations.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

445 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 421 of 12 November 2002, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that his Department's website material has not been updated for more than a year; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that it promised that guidelines would be issued in respect of all sections of the 2000 Act not already the subject of guidelines; when his Department expects to issue these remaining guidelines; if he will request his officials to give general information on the site on the redress available in case of unauthorised development; if he is satisfied that a reasonable allocation of same is being made to enforcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23350/02]

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

Remaining commen tary notes giving guidance on the text of the parts of the Act commenced over the past year are currently being prepared and these will be published on my Department's website in the first quarter of 2003. My Department will also seek to ensure that general information on the enforcement provisions of the Act is made available to the public through the Department's website as soon as possible.

I am concerned to ensure that adequate resources are available to planning authorities in terms of both professional planners and administrative staff. Staffing of local authority planning departments has almost doubled over the past four years. While it is a matter for each local authority manager to allocate staff and resources to each area of work, I intend, as stated in reply to Question No. 421 of 12 November 2002, to keep the performance by planning authorities in relation to enforcement matters under review.