Vol. 499 No. 2
61 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposals, if any, he has to deal with the problem of dual communities in tourist areas where, in many instances, locals are unable to compete for housing due to high prices being paid for holiday homes and sites. [2039/99]
The development of holiday homes or sites is subject to local planning and development controls and the granting of planning permission for holiday homes, like all other development, is a matter for the local planning authority or An Bord Pleanála on appeal. It is a matter for the planning authority to ensure that holiday homes are properly planned and are appropriate to the particular area. Like all planning issues, it is a question of getting the balance right between protecting the amenities of an area and ensuring its development.
Different local authorities have different approaches to holiday homes and this is reflected in their development plans. In some areas, holiday homes may be encouraged as providing tourist industry infrastructure, for example, where the seaside resort tax scheme applies. On the other hand, some local authorities may prohibit such development, allowing houses to be built for occupation only by people from the area or working in the area.
Local authorities have a number of options to ensure that holiday homes purchasers do not price local house buyers out of the market, including: providing sites on favourable terms for local people with modest incomes, providing houses for sale under the shared ownership scheme and making provision in the development plan restricting planning permission to houses which will be used for full-time occupation only in the interests of proper planning and development and to protect amenities.
I am aware of concerns that the seaside resort scheme has contributed to higher house prices in some areas. However, the scheme is due to terminate on 31 December next. This scheme is the responsibility of the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation who, I understand, is carrying out a review of it.
