Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 January 2021
92. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if estates in which planning was granted for a mix of holiday lets and residential use can be put forward for the funding by local authorities in relation to the national taking in charge initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4669/21]
View answerThe National Taking-in-Charge Initiative (NTICI) was a once-off fund launched in April 2016, to trial new approaches and working methods in supporting the taking-in-charge process of housing estates. Under the terms of the NTICI, developments that were subject to valid taking-in-charge applications, were eligible for inclusion in the associated call for funding proposals.
Ultimately, €7.5 million was paid to local authorities in respect of 330 developments, containing some 14,930 homes. The National Taking in Charge Initiative was confined to estates that were eligible for taking in charge, that contained wholly or a majority of principal places of private residence and not private residential complexes such as multi-unit developments, gated developments, retirement villages and holiday home developments that were permitted and operate on the basis of a private management company or other similar such arrangements.
The NTICI is no longer operational. Residential developments consisting of two or more dwellings that have been granted planning permission under section 34 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended, may be eligible, depending on the grant of planning condition, for taking in charge, as provided for under section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. The taking in charge of residential estates is a reserved function of the elected members of the relevant local authority. Under subsection 1 of section 180, the planning authority is obliged to initiate taking in charge procedures where requested by either the developer or by the majority of owners of the dwellings. However, this is subject to the development being completed to the satisfaction of the authority and in accordance with the permission and any conditions.
The ongoing maintenance of private housing developments is a matter for the owners of the properties in question.
