Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 November 2005
87 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department has considered the introduction of a community dividend that would provide compensation, monetary or otherwise, for those groups or individuals located close to so-called disamenities including major infrastructural projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36592/05]
View answerThe agreed programme for Government includes a commitment regarding developing further the concept of community gain in association with the delivery of major infrastructure projects. This would build on specific examples already to hand where planning authorities or An Bord Pleanála have attached conditions to permissions requiring the provision of necessary community facilities in parallel with infrastructure development. In the context of the forthcoming Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill, I propose to include a mechanism whereby An Bord Pleanála could attach conditions providing for community gain to consents for strategic infrastructure. I intend to publish this Bill early in 2006.
