Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 November 2020
118. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a matter (details supplied) in relation to alternative and remote working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34365/20]
View answerFurther to the increasing phenomenon of people working remotely from home arising from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the likelihood that this practice will continue into the future, I can confirm that my Department will undertake a review of planning matters relating to home offices, including the exempted development provisions in this regard.
As per to the reply to your Dáil Question no. 145 answered on 13 October 2020, a wide range of exemptions from planning permission are already provided for under Section 4 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended and under Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 as amended. Such exemptions are provided for when they are considered to be consistent with proper planning and sustainable development.
In the meantime, if a person wishes to establish whether or not planning permission is required for a specific development proposal, they can seek a declaration from their local authority under section 5 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.
