Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 May 2020
1350. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if amendments to planning regulations will be introduced to facilitate small businesses that are no longer able to work out of their business premises as a result of the Covid-19 health measures and therefore need to operate from their home. [6197/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is important to note that wherever a business operates, it will be subject to the same public health measures to protect the health of both employees and the wider public from the COVID-19 pandemic. The re-opening of businesses in the context of the pandemic should be in accordance with the terms of the Government's Roadmap for Re-Opening Society and Business, as published on 1 May 2020, and with relevant public health and health and safety advice and protocols.
With regard to planning, an individual can apply to his/her local planning authority for a determination under section 5 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, as to whether any particular case is or is not development, or is or is not exempted development, within the meaning of the Act. This would inform the small business owner whether or not planning permission is required for him or her to operate from his or her home.
The granting of planning permission or a declaration that development is exempted development does not solely authorise development, including ‘change of use’ of premises, to proceed where other consents are required. The operation of a business may be subject to multiple requirements of which planning is just one. I have no plans to introduce new exempted development planning regulations allowing for the ‘change of use’ of a home to a business premises at this time.
