Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 March 2022
84. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason that his Department does not hold data on a year-to-year basis regarding developments that have been taken in charge; his views on whether it would be appropriate to reconsider this stance given the number of estates nationally that are not receiving any assistance for their needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13290/22]
View answerUnder section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned. This includes the taking in charge process.
The taking in charge of residential estates is a reserved function of the elected members of the Local Authority following recommendations made by the Executive. Ultimately, progression of individual developments through the taking-in-charge process is a matter for the relevant housing developer, the residents in such developments and the relevant local authorities, following the procedures laid out in section 180 of the Act.
The process for taking in charge is initiated by the declaration of a public road in accordance with section 11 of the Roads Act 1993 and is a matter for relevant roads authority and is not a matter in which I, in my Role as Minister with responsibility for planning have any statutory function.
Planning statistics are compiled by each planning authority on an annual basis for collation and publication on my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/service/9e4ee-get-planning-statistics/ .
The data collected relates to the total number of applications and decisions for all developments that require planning permission, broken down by year and planning authority but does not include data on taking in charge cases. The information requested may be sought directly from planning authorities.
