Vol. 436 No. 7
126 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment if, in view of the cost to Dublin Corporation of processing applications for planning permission, he will accede to the request to lift the cap on charges to allow for a more economic charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
127 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment if he will accede to the request from Dublin Corporation to set the charge for retention of unauthorised buildings at double the charge for original planning permission in order to deter illegal development; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
129 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment if he will carry out a review of the maximum fee that can be charged in respect of a planning application, which is presently £10,000, in view of the costs that must be borne by some local authorities in respect of major developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 126, 127 and 129 together.
I have made regulations, entitled the Local Government (Planning and Development) (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations, 1993, under which the fees for planning applications will be increased by 30 per cent with effect from 1 February 1994. However, the existing overall maximum fee of £10,000 is being retained because it is set at an appropriate level to ensure that an applicant for planning permission makes a reasonable contribution towards the costs which a planning authority incurs in its examination of a major development proposal.
The question of subjecting retention applications to a higher fee than planning applications generally is under examination in the general review of planning regulations which is being finalised in my Department.
