Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2021
53. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a blended model including new online methods of conducting local authority business will be adopted as public health restrictions are lifted owing to the greater accessibility this provides to members of the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22879/21]
View answerOn 20 October 2020, my colleague, Mr Darragh O’Brien TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage signed a Ministerial Order under Section 29 of the Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020 allowing meetings of local authorities to be held remotely. The Order means that any decisions made or votes taken at such remote meetings shall be considered the same as decisions made and votes taken by elected members in a physical location.
It is a reserved function of elected Councils to decide how or if they wish to avail of the Order allowing remote meetings. All have chosen to do so in the current COVID-19 public health environment, amending their standing orders accordingly.
I am aware of a desire among some councillors for the continuation of the option to attend meetings virtually. This will be a matter for each elected Council based on the wishes of elected members, as well as the local authority’s technical capacity to convene such part physical/part virtual hybrid meetings. My Department will continue to monitor developments in this regard.
Local Authorities already offer a blended model for the payment of commercial rates, allowing ratepayers to pay using a selection of the following methods: recurring card payments; payment in person; standing order/direct debit; secure internet payment; electronic banking; and payment by telephone.
Sections, 4, 5 and 10 of the Local Government Rates and Other Matters Act 2019, when commenced, will allow for the wider operation of the commercial rates system (such as billing) by electronic means, providing greater convenience and efficiency for both ratepayers and local authorities. Progress on commencing the Act has been delayed due to the impact of the COVID crisis and ongoing work on the government funded rates waiver. Plans to amend and commence the legislation and introduce requisite regulations are temporarily delayed, with the revised aim of commencing the Act in 2021 and signature of prescribed regulations in 2022.
The ePlanning project currently in development seeks to integrate the IT systems of the 31 planning authorities using a single online portal allowing for the online submission of planning applications, appeals, submissions and associated fees. Once fully rolled out, ePlanning will provide an online option for the public to engage with the planning system, in addition to the paper based system.
The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) is managing and co-ordinating the development of the ePlanning project on behalf of my Department. The experience of operating the planning system during the Covid19 pandemic has highlighted the important role that online technology could make in the future. The proposed system is now in its final stages of development and testing, following which it is envisaged that the LGMA's rollout of ePlanning nationwide to all local authorities will be completed on a phased basis by Q2 2022.
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.
