Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 March 2014
27. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of housing estates that cannot be taken in charge by local authorities, but are not classified as unfinished estates; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in most of these estates significant issues like the provision of street lighting remain a problem for residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11896/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the insertion of subsection (2A) into section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, by the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010, planning authorities are not prevented from taking in charge any housing estate even if it has not been completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority in accordance with the planning permission. My Department has no information on the number of estates which have not been classified as unfinished estates.
I am aware that the satisfactory completion and maintenance of public lighting systems in housing developments, both finished and unfinished and not taken in charge, is an on-going issue of concern for both the residents of housing developments and the relevant local authorities. In this regard, local authorities have been addressing this and other related issues as part of their roles and responsibilities in planning enforcement, the taking in charge process and implementing the Government’s Action Programme on Unfinished Housing Developments.
