Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2013
775. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 383 and 384 of 26 March 2013, if he will request the information sought from each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16388/13]
View answerConditions attached to planning permissions for residential development must require the giving of sufficient security prior to commencement of development. The form of the bond, the amount and the terms attached are matters for the planning authority concerned and the arrangement entered into must enable the planning authority, without cost to itself, to complete the necessary services (including roads, footpaths, water mains, sewers, lighting and open space) to a satisfactory standard in the event of default by the developer. While my Department is preparing revised guidelines on bonds for issue shortly, I do not propose to collect information on bonds held by each of the local authorities. Such information may be obtained from the authorities directly.
The following information was provided under Standing Order 40A
In earlier questions on the matter, Deputy Daly asked me to provide details in relation to (1) the value of security held on a county basis by local authorities in relation to bonds held for the satisfactory completion of housing estates for each of the past five years and (2) the amount of security bonds claimed by local authorities on a county basis for each of the past five years (Questions Nos. 383 and 384 of 26 March). In my reply I informed Deputy Daly that the information sought was not available in my Department. That is the factual position.
In his more recent question Deputy Daly asked me if, further to Questions Nos. 383 and 384 of 26 March, I would request from each local authority the information sought in his question. As indicated in my reply to his question, I do not propose to collect the information, although I would again point out that the information would be available to Deputy Daly directly from each local authority on his request.
I note that in Questions Nos. 383 and 384 of 26 March, Deputy Daly makes reference to Question No. 137 of 13 March which deals with development contributions. There is an important distinction between the data provided in relation to development contributions in my reply to Question No. 137 which related to amounts collected by and owed to local authorities and bonds which are held as security by local authorities.
