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Gnáthamharc

Rural Depopulation.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 November 2004

Tuesday, 9 November 2004

Ceisteanna (306)

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

368 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if rural depopulation is likely to be accelerated by the new vastly increased housing development levies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28139/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Development contributions have been levied on developments since 1964 to ensure some recoupment to local authorities of the cost of servicing lands for development. Planning authorities have been drawing up development contribution schemes in accordance with the revised framework established by section 48 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. These schemes are intended to ensure that the long-standing practice of levying development contributions to help fund local authority infrastructure is implemented in a more transparent and consistent way across the country than has been the case in the past. This process has led to a reduction in the level of development contributions in a number of local authority areas.

Under section 48 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, it is the responsibility of planning authorities to determine the level of contributions for their functional areas, the classes of development to which the contributions will apply and any waivers which should apply in their areas. By way of departmental circular letter, planning authorities were advised that a scheme can allow for a reduced contribution or no contribution in certain circumstances, for example, for particular types of community infrastructure, shops, etc., in areas in need of regeneration, in brownfield areas or for charitable developments. All planning authorities have provided for waivers or reduced contributions in their development contribution schemes. These were adopted by the statutory deadline of 10 March 2004 and are now in force.

Development contributions are now being levied to help pay for recreational and community facilities, among other amenities. These recreational and community amenities will help to ensure the national spatial strategy objective of achieving better quality of life for everyone, both in urban and rural areas.

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