Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2022
335. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the total number of special amenity areas currently in place nationally; the number designated in the past five years by local authority area, as designated under section 202 of the Planning and Development Act 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53488/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraProvisions in relation to the making of special amenity areas are set out in section 202 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Under these provisions, a planning authority may make an order declaring a specified area to be an area of special amenity, for reasons of its outstanding beauty or its special recreational value, and having regard to any benefits for nature conservation.
The making of a Special Amenity Area Order is a reserved function of the elected members of a local authority. However, as Minister I may, if I consider it necessary, direct a planning authority to make an order declaring a specified area to be an area of special amenity for the same reasons as outlined above. I or my predecessors have not made any such direction in the past five years.
The specific information requested in relation to the number of Special Amenity Areas nationally and the number designated in the last five years is not collated by my Department. This information may be sought directly from the relevant Local Authorities.
