Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 February 2018
212. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the local authorities that remain non-compliant with the 2013 development contribution guidelines in relation to taskforce action number 8 and the progress report of the taskforce implementation group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9012/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDevelopment contributions applied by local authorities are levied on the basis of a development contribution scheme adopted by the elected members which sets out how contributions are to be applied in respect of developments in their respective functional areas. The level of contribution and the types of development to which development contributions should apply, including any exemptions from charging in specific circumstances if that is deemed appropriate, are therefore determined at local authority level, in accordance with the powers vested in elected members in this regard.
For the purpose of supporting and incentivising economic development, including the roll-out of broadband infrastructure, my Department issued statutory guidelines to planning authorities in January 2013 under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act on the implementation of development contribution schemes to which planning authorities are required to have regard in the performance of their planning functions. For the purpose of ensuring consistency in the adoption and implementation of development contribution schemes by local authorities, the guidelines recommended that all local authorities should include a specific waiver for broadband infrastructure (e.g. masts and antennae) in their schemes.
Most development contribution schemes adopted by planning authorities currently provide for such waivers. In this regard, 23 local authorities have adopted schemes which include a full exemption for broadband infrastructure. Six local authorities do not specify a waiver for such infrastructure in their current schemes; however, as there is no provision included in their current schemes to charge for telecommunications infrastructure generally, the practice adopted is not to do so.
My Department has been engaging with the remaining two local authorities regarding the incorporation of explicit waivers in their schemes. Both local authorities have since prepared draft schemes that incorporate waivers for broadband infrastructure, which are currently out for public consultation. Notwithstanding the fact that the adoption of these schemes is a reserved function of the locally elected members, I anticipate that these schemes as finally adopted will comply with the 2013 guidelines in this regard.
