Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 May 2012
203 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that local authorities have awarded contracts to development companies which have unfinished estates on their books; and if he intends to resolve this practice. [22568/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the Unfinished Housing Developments Public Safety Initiative, launched by my Department last year, unfinished housing developments fall within four categories:
Category one, where the development is still being actively completed by the developer, or where no serious public safety issues exist;
Category two, where a receiver has been appointed;
Category three, where a receiver has not been appointed and the developer is still in place but effectively inactive; and
Category four, where the development has been effectively abandoned and is posing serious problems for residents.
In circumstances where a developer is still active it is the responsibility of the local authority planning department to pursue the developer for completion of the development in line with the terms of the original planning permission. Similarly, where a developer is inactive but still in place the enforcement of the planning conditions is a matter for the relevant planning authority.
All capital investment projects funded by my Department are subject, inter alia, to EU and national public procurement requirements and guidance, as set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, relating to capital project management in the public sector. It is a matter for local authorities, as contracting authorities, to administer procurement processes in accordance with the relevant requirements and guidance. It is open to contractors to submit tenders under the relevant procurement processes, unless precluded by any of the conditions which apply to the competition, which include meeting requirements in respect of financial standing including tax compliance, insurance, ability to obtain a bond and technical capability.
