Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2020
407. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the problems being experienced in the taking-in-charge of developer-led developments (details supplied). [27298/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2018 my Department published the National Taking in Charge Initiative Report, which considered the issues associated with residential estates that are not taken-in-charge, including a subset of estates that depend on stand-alone developer provided water infrastructure for the provision of their water services. This report included a recommendation to introduce a multi-annual capital investment programme to progressively resolve these estates in a sustainable manner over time. This programme was launched last year.
Following consideration by an Expert Panel, I announced funding allocations on 21 September for the progressive resolution of housing estates dependent on developer provided water services, which will also enable the taking in charge of these estates. This, the first funding cycle of the new multi-annual programme runs to 2021.
The focus of the first programme is on estates in towns and villages where the resolution is to connect their water services to the public networks. The programme will also support a number of pilot projects where connection is not feasible in the immediate future. These pilot projects, together with a major study to be under taken by Irish Water, will inform future policy on resolving sub-standard developer provided infrastructure with sustainable solutions in such areas.
The local authorities were informed concerning details of the outcome of the bids process in a circular which included a copy of the Expert Panel report. The report, in addition to addressing the issues encountered by local authorities in these estates, provides guidance for local authorities in preparing bids for future programmes.
The circular is available on my Department's website at the link under:
https://www.housing.gov.ie/water/water-services/circular-ldpi01-2020-approval-projects-residential-estates-under-developer
