James Browne
Wexford · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“I cannot accept amendments Nos. 10 and 11. The interpretation of "lawfully resident" and "habitually resident" is construed in accordance with section 20A, which sets out the new residency requirements for social housing applicants.”
“The safety net provision is to be provided by the local authority on a night-to-night basis, and this is to allow local authorities to reassess the circumstances each day to determine whether the safety net should still be provided.”
“I cannot accept amendment No. 21. This amendment proposes the introduction of a social housing passport allowing households to transfer between local authority areas while retaining their original waiting list or transfer list position. The amendment as it stands is well-intentioned.”
“No one factor is intended to be decisive and it is not necessary for a person to score strongly on all five factors outlined in section 20A(7) in order to get a positive decision. However, the local authority decision-maker must be confident that there is strong evidence that it is the applicant's main centre of interest.”
“In relation to Senator McCarthy’s amendment, while it was a very well intentioned and constructed amendment, it has been disallowed. It was not my decision on those matters. I am satisfied the safeguards and safety net are there for those who are not entitled by way of legal or habitual residence.”
“In practical terms, if an Irish citizen has severed ties abroad and has decided to return home, the process of establishing habitual residency could be determined from day one.”
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“Tenants entering new tenancies will have the strongest tenancy rights in the history of this State. The majority of tenants will have a no-fault eviction ban.”
“The Deputy is very fond of referring to the Famine. The Famine was a genocide in this country. A million people died and a million people had to leave the country yet the Deputy makes a political football out of it and uses it to come in here to engage in cheap political point scoring. It is very hard to take him seriously when that is the level to which he descends in order to make a political point instead of making a coherent, informed policy point or argument. We are putting in record funding to address the housing crisis in this country. That includes the homeless crisis and high rents. We have brought in some of the strongest, if not the strongest, tenancy measures to protect tenants in the history of the State and the Deputy voted against them. That is a fact.”
“We are dealing with it as an emergency response. Last year, we saw a 20% increase in housing delivery overall and the highest number of social houses built in a single year in the history of the State. We are putting in record funding to address the housing crisis. Many of the measures highlighted in the report are already in the process of being implemented. I would remind the Deputy that, in his own housing plan, he proposes winding down the tenant in situ scheme – something he conveniently forgets every time he raises that scheme.”
“In terms of homelessness, we cannot deal with everybody as a single group. There are those who need more targeted measures. Those suffering from trauma, mental health or addiction issues need very particular supports and we are putting those in place as well.”
“We take the report very seriously and are giving it very serious consideration. Many of the recommendations in it are already in place or are being put in place. We are treating this as an emergency. I have already outlined many of the measures we are taking to make sure we address the situation where we have a very high level of homelessness. One person in homelessness is one too many. We have a very high number in emergency accommodation - I acknowledge that. That is why we need to do even more. I am treating it as an emergency. We are putting in emergency measures to tackle homelessness. Ultimately, we have to drive supply; that is how we will address all the key issues for people who are finding themselves in emergency accommodation and State-supported living as a result of not being able to have somewhere to live.”
“I am establishing a standing sub-group of the national homeless action committee to ensure a continued focus on youth homelessness and my Department, in partnership with Department of the Taoiseach, will shortly publish a cross-departmental child and family homelessness action plan. Many other actions are under way that speak to the recommendations in the report, including the development of the of the housing delivery action plans, a review of the housing assistance payment and the continued funding of the second-hand acquisition scheme, including tenant in situ acquisitions. Ultimately, increased supply is key to addressing homelessness, meeting need and addressing the challenges in the housing market. The new housing plan aims to deliver 300,000 new homes in the period to 2030, including 72,000 social homes and 90,000 starter homes.”
“I recognise that more needs to be done and a co-ordinated approach is required right across government. That is why a cross-departmental working group was established to drive the development of a prevention framework. The first draft of the framework is being considered by working group members and the framework will be in place this year. The report also recognises the importance of a continued focus on measures to address youth homelessness and calls for the development of a child and family homelessness strategy. Again, work is well under way in these two important areas as committed to in the housing plan.”
“Supporting individuals and families experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness is an absolute priority for me, my Department and Government. I welcome the committee's focus on this important area. Indeed, many of the recommendations put forward are addressed in our new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, and are being progressed by my Department in collaboration with other Departments, local authorities and their service delivery partners. The report calls for a greater focus on prevention. There are many prevention initiatives already under way in the Department and across government, including the provision of social and affordable housing, HAP and homeless HAP, and our strong tenancy protection legislation.”
“Even if the enabling provisions are enacted in primary legislation, as we have seen from the Scottish example, the timelines involved prior to the introduction of a levy on the ground can be challenging. As I referred to earlier, in 2025 the Government noted the report on the roadmap for the delivery of the Dublin city task force report, including a recommendation that a detailed proposal for an accommodation tax at a national level be developed. Work on the development of such a proposal on a visitor levy is already under way as part of the implementation of that roadmap. As I said, the local democracy task force also recommended that consideration be given to that by the Government. I look forward to engaging in on this important issue across Government as the proposal is developed.”
“The local consultation and stakeholder engagement that is required to be undertaken by a local authority in advance of the introduction of such a levy, any limits on the areas of expenditure supported by income raised by the levy and reporting on income and expenditure raised to ensure transparency for all must also be taken into account. I have considered it very important that the decision on whether to apply a visitor levy in a local authority should be a decision of that local authority, meaning its elected members. As seen from the experience in other jurisdictions, the introduction of an accommodation tax or visitor levy requires careful planning and extensive engagement with stakeholders. It would require close co-operation between various Departments, as outlined earlier. It would also require substantial consultation.”
“There are obviously a wide range of issues which call for close examination and broad consultation prior to developing such a legislative framework to enable a visitor levy, including the power of elected members to determine whether to introduce a levy in their area. Other areas for consideration include the extent of influence of a local authority on the rate and geographic application of the levy, the scope of the application of the levy in terms of category of accommodation and visitors and a collection mechanism that is cost-effective, administratively efficient and as easily enforceable as possible.”
“Scotland and Wales are similar jurisdictions to Ireland and both recently passed legislation that enables local authorities to introduce a charge on overnight stays. In fact, having passed primary legislation in 2024, Edinburgh will be the first Scottish authority to apply a levy on overnight stays starting next month. Any framework that enables local authorities to charge a levy on overnight stays in their area should be designed in a way that works for residents, businesses and visitors alike. Such a levy should be simple but fair in design to help minimise any potential negative impacts. It should have a positive impact on local areas that choose to use a levy by generating revenue to support local areas, thereby enhancing the reputation of the destination, increasing local autonomy and supporting the visitor economy overall.”
“A visitor levy is a well-established charge in many cities and countries. It ensures that visitors who directly benefit from the use of local services and public infrastructure contribute to their costs and upkeep. A visitor levy would be additional revenue from outside traditional sources which can be ring-fenced to improve local facilities for tourists and locals alike. Charges of this kind are frequently imposed in cities with strong tourist economies in countries such as Canada, Spain, Germany, Belgium and France. The use of such a levy, in international examples, provides the funds that support green spaces, clean streets, visitor facilities, local communities, preservation of monuments and public transport.”
“It is also in line with recommendations of the 2023 report monitoring the application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in Ireland that Ireland increase the amount of own resources that can be used at the discretion of local government. Ireland has signed and ratified the European Charter of Local Self-Government governance. Fiscal autonomy is the extent to which local government can independently tax its population and in itself is an important measure of local autonomy and self-government. Enabling local authorities to levy a charge on overnight stays in their area would be a significant measure to improve their fiscal autonomy. All of this context is to demonstrate that there is a convergence of various drivers and a momentum pointing to now being an appropriate time to consider this proposal in Ireland.”
“As part of the stakeholder consultation process undertaken by the local democracy task force, it is notable that a number of consultees, including ICTU, the University of Galway and the University of Limerick, called for Irish local authorities to be permitted to charge a tourism tax. In respect of the local democracy task force, its report and recommendations regarding reforming and strengthening the sector are expected to be brought to Government for consideration and decision in the coming weeks. More broadly, enabling local authorities to levy a charge on overnight stays in an area is in line with the principle of subsidiarity espoused by the EU and Council of Europe.”
“This report recommended that a detailed proposal for an accommodation tax at national level, applicable to all local authorities on an opt-in basis, be developed by the Departments of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Finance and Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Work on the development of the proposal on a visitor levy is already under way as part of implementing the roadmap. In addition, I established the local democracy task force in 2025, which has examined new sources of income for local authorities, as well as ways that existing source of income could be optimised as a means of enhancing the level of income raised locally. One of the proposals examined was the power to enable local authorities to levy a charge on overnight stays in their area.”
“At present, in Ireland neither central government nor local authorities have the power to levy overnight stays for visitors. Primary legislation will be required to enable this. In recent times, and in light of the growing trend internationally, there have been increased calls in a variety of fora for the introduction of such a charge in Ireland. The report of the Commission on Taxation and Welfare in 2022 recommended the introduction of an accommodation tax in Ireland. In June 2025, the Government noted the report of the interdepartmental group on the Dublin city task force report and approved the overall process set out in the roadmap for the delivery of the Dublin city task force report.”
“A fundamental prerequisite for effective local democracy is that plenary councils have a strong measure of financial power and discretion and corresponding responsibility for locally raised income funds, the operation of local authorities and core service provision. Expenditure is determined by councillors at the annual budget meeting. On average, in 2024 nearly 50% of local authority revenue income was generated locally. This means that any consideration of sources of income that can be raised and disposed of locally is of great significance for local democracy. Visitor accommodation levies are becoming a more common feature of cities and sub-national authorities across Europe. This trend is driven by financial pressures and high levels of tourism.”
“Local authorities derive their income from a variety of local sources, including commercial rates, the local property tax and charges for goods and services. There are also a number of external income sources, including funding from central government and borrowing. The circumstances of local authorities also vary considerably in terms of geographic area, population density, service needs and the ability to raise their own income locally. Local authorities continue to operate in a challenging environment, with population increases leading to a greater demand for infrastructure and services and a cost base that is increasing at a faster rate than the ability to raise income locally.”
“I thank Senators Fitzpatrick and O'Loughlin for bringing forward the proposal and the Fianna Fáil group of Senators for putting the motion down for debate. The motion will not be opposed by the Government. I thank colleagues for all of their contributions to what I consider to be an important discussion, not just in the sense of a tax or levy but rather the wider discussion around local government. The motion calls on the Government to advance enabling legislation to empower local authorities, at their discretion, to introduce a visitor levy on paid overnight accommodation in their areas. As Members of the House are aware, the funding system that applies to local authorities in Ireland is quite complex.”
“I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the following Order in draft: Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (Designation of Carlow County Council) Order 2026, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 15th May, 2026.”
“I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the following Order in draft: Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (Designation of Meath County Council) (Parts of Administrative Area) Order 2026, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 2nd April, 2026.”
“The reforms we have introduced have taken time because they are so comprehensive and far-reaching. Housing delivery envisaged under Delivering Homes, Building Communities is focused through short, medium and long-term actions. The Government is working every day to deliver on its comprehensive and detailed plan of action.”
“This capital funding will be supplemented by over €2 billion in current funding to address housing needs. Since the launch of cost rental in 2021, around €2.25 billion in Exchequer funding has been approved for cost-rental projects. I wish to emphasise that the programme for Government recognises the important role that the private rental sector plays in housing for many people and will continue to do so into the future. This Government will address the challenges in this sector, including standards, security and affordability. The Government recognises that there is a need to urgently and substantially scale up housing delivery, including emergency accommodation and social housing. This will take some pressure off the rental market. There has been clear progress and we have a solid foundation upon which to build for the future.”
“It is an increase of 1,256 homes, or 16%, compared to 2024. Over 42,000 new-build social homes have been delivered between 2022 and 2025. I am providing substantial funding to local authorities, the Land Development Agency, LDA, and the approved housing bodies. To support increased delivery, the national development plan has committed record levels of funding. In 2026 alone, a record level of investment is being provided for housing delivery, with €5.2 billion in Exchequer capital funding complemented by investment through the LDA and lending from the Housing Finance Agency. This brings the total capital funding for housing in 2026 alone to over €9 billion. This record level of funding is supporting the delivery of social, affordable and cost-rental homes.”
“It will take time for new supply to materialise given the nature of investment decisions and large-scale residential development. Affordability is also at the heart of the Government’s housing policy, as embodied within our housing plan, with the Government targeting the delivery of 72,000 new social homes and 90,000 affordable supports. The plan reinforces and expands the range of existing measures being implemented by the Government to tackle the issues of supply and affordability, thereby supporting the increased provision of new homes to purchase and rent. Record levels of social and affordable housing delivery have been achieved in recent years. In 2025, a total of 9,089 new-build social homes were constructed. This is the highest delivery of social homes in the history of the State.”
“The Government has implemented a range of measures in recent years to ensure a balanced housing market across all tenures, including home ownership, social and affordable housing and private rental. The recently enacted Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026 introduced a new national rent control for all new tenancies, which limits rent increases. It also now means that Ireland offers among the strongest tenancy protections in Europe, with these measures providing the most robust tenancy protections in the history of this State. These changes were also introduced to help to attract and increase the supply of rental properties. Ireland is facing a shortage of rental homes, especially apartments. The reforms aim to encourage investment and development, while also providing stronger protections for tenants.”
“I will set out the key changes we have introduced and our plans to scale up the supply of housing across all tenures. Between July 2020 and the end of 2025, almost 59,000 social homes were added to the social housing stock and more than 15,000 homes were brought back into use under the voids programme. Local authorities are delivering affordable homes, with funding of almost €690 million approved from the affordable housing fund to support the delivery of over 7,650 affordable purchase and cost rental homes by 25 local authorities. Over the past five years, almost 149,000 new homes have been delivered. This is significant progress but there is recognition that we have to build on it.”
“We have to implement an ambitious plan to reform practically every aspect of our housing system. Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030 is that action plan. Despite the challenges we face, the plan is moving the dial in the right direction. There is momentum and we will drive on. I am determined to do that. We are working tirelessly to address the challenges and implement policies that make a positive difference to individuals and wider society. While there is still much to do, the motion initiated by Sinn Féin Senators does not fairly represent the efforts and progress made to date. It is important that I reiterate the real progress we have made in recent years, including that relating to social and affordable housing delivery.”
“However, there was a decrease of 1.1% from quarter 3 of 2025, which is a positive sign. The rent index for quarter 4 of 2025 showed that year on year existing rents increased nationally by 4.4% and by 0.7% quarterly. This again demonstrates a moderating trend. The number of private landlords rose by 1.3% annually to 105,847, indicating increased participation in the rental market. It shows there is no mass exodus of landlords from the market. The latest data published by the RTB shows continued resilience in the Irish rental sector, with ongoing growth in tenancies and landlords in the market. This is important when we look at the increase in the number of homes delivered last year and the number of tenancies. We are providing more homes for people throughout the country.”
“It is clear that the motion was prompted by the recent publication of the Daft rent report. However, the rent index report published by the RTB is the most accurate and authoritative rent report of its kind on the private rental sector, as it tracks actual rents paid and not asking prices. It is independent in how it puts together its evidence to provide the figures available. It is important, in the context of this debate, to focus on the evidence we have and on facts. Nationally, standardised average market rents continue to rise for new and existing tenancies but the rate of new tenancy rent increases has been relatively stable for the last six quarters at a national level. The rent index for quarter 4 of 2025 showed that year on year rents in new tenancies increased nationally by 5%.”
“Only a sustained increase in the supply of homes of all tenure types can actually solve this problem sustainably. Other measures are temporary at best and will do little to get what we need in terms of the number of homes people need throughout the country. An eviction ban and rent freeze would have a significant impact in deterring the medium and longer term supply of rental accommodation. It would act as a disincentive to landlords who are considering entering the rental market and for investors who supply the number of homes needed to part solve these challenges. A freeze on rents would only freeze the rental crisis without a solution. We need to provide hope, not only for those renting but also for those who cannot find anywhere to rent and need the supply of homes increased.”
“The Government's goal is to have a housing system that genuinely responds to the needs of our people and has safe and secure homes for people to grow up and grow old in, regardless of where they are in life, what pay band they are in or whether they are renting or intend to own. No one in the Government underestimates the scale of the challenge. We must ensure that we enhance supply as much as possible. I recognise the strain and stress that can be caused by the scarcity of rental accommodation, the rent pressures that often accompany it and those who may end up in homelessness. I am doing my utmost to tackle this and improve the situation. We have to increase the supply of all types of homes, including social, affordable and cost rental, and increase the availability of homes and rooms in the private rental market and to purchase.”
“I thank the Sinn Féin Senators for initiating the motion and I thank colleagues for their contributions to what I consider to be an important discussion in the House. Housing and homelessness are defining social and economic issues for this country and they have my unwavering focus and priority. Access to suitable, affordable and safe accommodation and secure tenancies is essential for every family and individual. The Government is mobilising the most significant resources in the history of the State to tackle the challenge at hand. I reassert the Government's commitment and determination to tackle the challenges in the housing sector.”
“I move: That Dáil Éireann, noting that on 21st April, 2026, the Government nominated Mr. Lee Komito and Mr. Ross Frenett for appointment by the President to be Ordinary members of An Coimisiún Toghcháin , recommends that, pursuant to section 9(9) of the Electoral Reform Act 2022, Mr. Lee Komito and Mr. Ross Frenett be appointed by the President to be Ordinary members of An Coimiún Toghcháin .”
“I will certainly keep the Deputy's concerns in mind. He comes from a position of genuine concern on this issue and for those who are renting out rooms. We know that the vast majority of people renting out rooms in their own homes and who will be renting out modular units under licence are good, local people. There will always be, of course, a certain number who will abuse a situation and we want to see those people facing the most stringent of punishments, if you like, or the responsibility that would be expected of anyone who would behave in an unacceptable manner. As I said, however, these are people's own homes, and that is why there is a distinction made between someone renting out a room in their home and landlords.”
“People are obviously renting out a room or modular unit in their homes. It is a very different scenario than a landlord renting out a property. However, it is acknowledged that people are renting out those rooms, albeit in people's homes, which are protected under the Constitution. It is a balancing act and a difficult situation. We want to ensure that anybody who is renting is being protected while recognising that these are people's own homes and that, if someone wants to rent out a room in their home, they are not constrained in the event they need that room back or whatever the case may be. This is obviously quite a balancing act and can be quite a difficult situation but ultimately it has to be recognised that, in regard to these people who are renting out these rooms, those are their own homes.”
“A principal private residence is somebody's own home. We have a rent-a-room scheme at the moment where people can rent a room out within their own property. The modular units that would be on principal private residences, those being, people's homes, are being deemed an extension of their homes in that respect. Landlords cannot use this scheme. If you want to call people renting out a room in their own home "landlords", so be it, but this is about people who, in one respect, are able to supplement their income in their own private residence. It is also provides people with somewhere they can live and if a rent is being charged, there is a tax credit on those principal private residences, or people's homes, when they rent out a room. That acknowledges the very different nature of those situations.”
“I will carry out this review as quickly as possible, or certainly the initial one on the limits, and then we can look at a deeper review. On the disregards, one of the agencies did an assessment of these and they were quite inconsistent across the various local authorities as to what is or is not allowed as a disregard, which can lead to significant variations in who can or cannot get onto a list. The Deputy is 100% right; we do not want anybody having to give up work or to cut back on hours. Unfortunately, this can happen when people try to stay on a housing list because that is their housing solution, and the quality of social homes being provided is very high. As I said, we are keeping an open mind, but I am actively working on this.”
“It may be a question of increasing them in the short term while we look at a wider assessment of how we get to those limits and when they would be increased. We are carrying out that review and it will be completed this year. We will try to do it as quickly as possible.”
“I thank both Deputies for their contributions. Deputy Ó Broin is correct; I said we were going to look at whether there were any other mechanisms. I agree that while there is a call for increasing the limits, and understandably so as welfare payments increase, inflation increases or society changes, it ends up with this question as to when the Minister will increase the limits and it is up to the Minister to do so. That is not the ideal way to do these things at all. It is not reflective and it needs to be more agile. There need to be more reflective, year-on-year changes. It is something I am looking at. The review is going to go a little bit deeper than simply the limits, and the Deputy is correct in that it needs to go beyond this. I assure both Deputies that I am very carefully examining these limits.”
“Increasing the amount, which in turn will increase the numbers on the list, is not something that bothers me or has ever bothered me. We want to ensure that everyone can get a house in their local community on that spectrum, whether it is social housing, affordable housing, affordable housing supports to purchase, cost rental or people who are able to purchase without supports. We have to keep all these schemes under constant review and consideration to ensure there is not a gap appearing between various schemes. I am conscious that with affordable schemes, some local authorities are struggling, and that while we have the help to buy and shared equity schemes, if there is not a significant amount of private building going on in those local councils, it is difficult to benefit when you cannot purchase under one of those schemes.”
“I thank Deputy McGrath for raising this very important issue of the upward revision of social housing qualifying limits. As the Deputy will know, the then Minister for housing, Deputy O'Brien, increased the limits in 2023, as I recall, by about €5,000 for each of the various limits. That was to catch up with inflation and increases in social welfare payments, but time has moved on since then. We are now carrying out a review of social housing limits, what they should look like and whether we need more reform of them, other than simply increasing the limits for those who can avail of them. Last year, we delivered the most social housing in a single year in the history of the State, but we need to ensure those limits keep pace and ensure people can actually get onto those lists.”
“I again thank the Deputy for raising the important issue of retrofitting of social homes in County Louth. We very much recognise the importance of it for people's quality of life. Louth County Council has an excellent record on all the targets in providing supports, whether it is retrofitting, building social homes or other supports. It is a council that other councils could look up to in terms of how it delivers and maintains properties. However, I acknowledge there are particular challenges Louth faces as a rapidly growing county with two rapidly growing towns as well. When you grow that quickly, you face challenges, so it is incumbent on the Department of housing to keep focus and to support local authorities. I will certainly keep the Deputy's comments under consideration.”
“I acknowledge the Deputy's concern for people who live in social housing. I visited County Louth recently. I acknowledge the fantastic progress of Louth County Council in terms of delivering social homes, but I also recognise that it has a very large social housing list and faces a particular challenge with regard to the high level of homelessness within the county and the wider region. I have met with the Simon regional homelessness group. I have also met the directors for housing in Counties Monaghan and Louth to see how we can start to target specific supports to County Louth. The two major towns in the county, Drogheda and Dundalk, are looking for city status, an issue that was raised with me on a number of occasions when I visited.”
“I thank the Deputy for his very important question about retrofitting in County Louth. We have put substantial funding into retrofitting and we encourage local authorities to move as quickly as possible with retrofitting schemes. Where retrofitting works are carried out, it brings extraordinary comfort to families. It also helps to tackle fuel poverty, which is really important as part of our retrofitting schemes, the building of A-rated buildings and nearly zero energy buildings houses and now moving to zero-emission houses as well. We will continue to engage with Louth County Council to look at how we can accelerate the delivery of retrofitting to improve the quality of lives of people living in social homes in Louth.”
“I again thank the Deputy for his contribution. There is significant work being done around the rural housing guidelines and I thank my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, also. We are very much working together to ensure we can have liberalisation of rural housing that works for people in rural Ireland. We will bring forward those proposals in the very near future. In the meantime, we want to help people in rural Ireland to be able to build homes in their own communities and whether that is rural one-off housing or providing people with the opportunity to buy their homes through affordable purchase or through being able to buy with the supports the Government provides, what is essential to us is that people have the option to be able to live in their own local communities in a house that meets their needs.”
“I again thank the Deputy for raising the important question about development fees on rural one-off homes and the cost they put on those families who are building those homes and who often do not get the same benefits as one might in a town, for example, or within the confines of a village. Nonetheless, the contribution that is charged to those families who are building those homes is set by the local authorities within their own development contribution schemes and is not set by the Government. It is a matter for the local authority if it wants to charge those development fees, how much it charges and what kind of variation it charges between the various schemes where there would be one-off houses, housing schemes or apartments for that matter, and who is paying those.”
“Section 48(2)(b) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, provides that a development contribution scheme applied by a planning authority in respect of its functional area may make provision for payment of different contributions in respect of different classes or descriptions of development. In other words, they get to distinguish between one-off houses and larger developments. The level of contribution and the types of development to which development contributions should apply are determined at local authority level, in accordance with the powers vested in local elected members in relation to the adoption of local authority development contribution schemes.”
“The adoption of the development contribution schemes is a reserved function of the locally-elected members of each planning authority. It is a matter for the members to determine first the level of contribution and the types of development to which they will apply and second, the expenditure of contributions within the confines of their scheme conditions. The legal basis for development contributions are sections 48 and 49 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. Under section 48, planning authorities must draw up a development contribution scheme in respect of certain public infrastructure and facilities provided by, or on behalf of, the local authority that generally benefit development in the area. All planning permissions granted are subject to the conditions of the development contribution as set by the local planning authority.”