Unfinished Housing Developments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 October 2013

Wednesday, 16 October 2013

Questions (78, 79)

Patrick Nulty

Question:

78. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government following the recommendation of the advisory group on unfinished estates report, if he intends to review and amend the existing legislation where appropriate to ensure that there are adequate measures available to address unfinished developments; if he will consider this in the context of the relevant legislation which includes the Planning and Development Act 2000-2010, Derelict Sites Act 1990 and the Litter Act 1997-2003, Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1964, Water Pollution Acts 1977 and 1990 and the Building Control Acts 1990-2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43703/13]

Patrick Nulty

Question:

79. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government following the recommendation of the advisory group on unfinished estates report, if he intends to consolidate legislation with regard to unfinished developments with a predetermined lifespan of operation be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43704/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 79 together.

I am chairing the National Co-ordination Committee on Unfinished Housing Developments to oversee implementation of the Report of the Advisory Group on Unfinished Housing Developments, together with the Government’s response to the recommendations. The Committee has met on 12 occasions since it was established in June 2011 and has harnessed the input of members representing the banking, construction, and local authority sectors as well as NAMA and residents.

As part of the work of the National Co-Ordination Committee, a legislative review group was set up to assess the adequacy of existing legislation in tackling the issues associated with unfinished housing developments. Its remit was to review legislation such as the Derelict Sites Act 1990; the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1964, the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2010 and the Water Services Act, 2007 with a view to strengthening or amending provisions to take account of the issues associated with unfinished developments. The review group concluded that the existing legislation was adequate and no amending legislation was necessary.