Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2021
306. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if planning application deadlines should be extended given the restrictions that are in place making it less likely that notices will be seen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9754/21]
View answerThe planning system continues to operate during the current Covid-19 Level 5 restrictions subject to appropriate safety protocols and services operating online where feasible.
For the purpose of giving legal effect to the current Level 5 restrictions announced by the Government, new Regulations have been made by the Minister for Health entitled the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 10) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 29 of 2021) which will continue in operation until 5 March 2021. These Regulations include "statutory planning system activities, insofar as they cannot be carried out remotely" as an “essential service” specified at paragraph 14, Part 2 of the Schedule to the Regulations concerning public administration, emergency services and defence. This enables the staff of planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála to travel to and from their offices as may be required for the performance of their statutory functions. It also enables such staff to perform related statutory functions including site visits and inspections as well as enforcement activity subject to public health and social distancing requirements.
In addition, for the purpose of facilitating continued public participation in the planning process during the Level 5 restrictions, regulation 4(1) of the above Regulations provides that an applicable person shall not leave his or her place of residence without reasonable excuse. Regulation 4(2) in this regard provides that such reasonable excuse includes to attend the offices of a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála to engage in a statutory planning process (including making or inspecting a planning application or appeal, making an observation or submission or participating in a Development Plan process) or to inspect a site notice.
Furthermore, it should also be noted in this context that planning authorities are required under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Section 38) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 180 of 2020) to upload planning applications and related documentation onto their internet websites within 5 working days of receipt or, where exceptional circumstances exist, as soon as practicable thereafter. These measures enable members of the public to view documentation online and at planning offices, and facilitate planning applications, appeals or other submissions to be made during the Level 5 restrictions. These arrangements may include provision for attendance at planning offices by appointment so that public health and social distancing requirements can be observed by both staff and customers.
I do not envisage that any further actions will be required for the planning system at this time. However, I will continue to keep this matter under review.
