Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 February 2013
554. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the rates of planning development levies in respect of commercial developments in each local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5128/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not collect the information sought. As Minister of State, my role is to provide the necessary statutory and policy framework within which individual development contribution schemes are adopted by each local authority. The adoption of individual development contribution schemes is a reserved function of the locally elected members of each planning authority. It is a matter for the members to determine the level of contribution and the types of development to which they will apply. Copies of individual schemes are available for consultation on the local authorities' websites. My Department has recently issued u pdated guidance for local authorities on the issue of devel opment contributions which recommends, inter alia, that development contribution schemes facilitate job creation through targeted support for specific development types. As part of the new guidance, planning authorities are asked to consider whether there are any measures open to them to support new or existing enterprises in their areas by, for example reduced development contribution rates, deferral of payments, etc.
