Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2015
579. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm the final revisions of the new building regulations; his plans to allow local authorities to reduce development charges on existing planning permissions at their discretion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24546/15]
View answerThe review of the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 following the first twelve months of their operation is now well advanced. Some 170 submissions have been received during the public consultation stage of this review process which concluded on 15 May 2015. These submissions are currently being considered and my Department will produce a report on the matter by end June 2015 with a view to ensuring that any measures required can be put in place as a matter of priority.
Under the Construction 2020 strategy, the Government has committed to an action that will enable developers to avail of reduced development contributions for existing planning permissions that have yet to be activated. Provision for this measure has been incorporated in the Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill 2015, which was approved by Government and published earlier this month. Developers with planning permissions granted under previous development contribution schemes will be enabled to avail of the reduced development contribution charges being applied under the new development contribution schemes where their permissions have not yet been activated. This measure is intended to assist in making developments more economically viable and bringing them on-stream earlier than might otherwise be the case. It is intended that the Bill will be enacted by the summer recess.
