John Gormley

 950. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that homes protected under the Planning and Development Act 2000 need a section 57 declaration, which requires a site location map; his views on whether this is another example of a stealth tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14303/06]
 
   Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche): Under the Planning and Development Act, works to a protected structure, which in normal circumstances would be exempted development, are exempted development only if the works in question would not materially affect the character of the structure or any element of the structure that contributes to its special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest.  To facilitate owners or occupiers of protected structures, however, the Act provides that such an owner or occupier may make a written request to their planning authority for a declaration as to the type of works which it considers would or would not materially affect the character of the structure.  This enables the owners or occupiers to identify the type of works to the structure which will not require planning permission, so removing any future necessity to apply for planning permission for such works.  The legislation does not require that an application for a section 57 declaration should be accompanied by a site location map.  The Deputy’s reference to a “stealth tax” is, therefore, wide of the mark.

663. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will report on his Department’s consideration of Dublin City Council’s plans for redevelopment of its Charlemont Street flats complex; the reason for the delay in approving this plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5796/06]
 
   Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. N. Ahern): A preliminary report has been submitted to my Department by Dublin City Council setting out an outline of the scope of regeneration proposals for the Charlemont Street flats, including the Tom Kelly flats complex.  Some informal discussions have already taken place with the council and it is intended to hold further discussions on the proposed regeneration in the near future.

 Mr. Gormley: Yesterday I raised the issue of legislation governing the tenant purchase scheme for local authority housing.  The Taoiseach had not been briefed at that stage but I believe he has now been briefed.  Will such legislation be contained in a new social housing Bill?
 
   The Taoiseach: I believe I answered the Deputy’s question.  Legislation is being prepared on tenant purchase.
 
   Mr. Gormley: Will the provisions be included in a new social housing Bill?
 
   The Taoiseach: I am not sure.
 
   Mr. Gormley: I will raise this matter again next week.  I understood the Taoiseach had been briefed in the meantime.
 
   The Taoiseach: I believe my office contacted the Deputy regarding this matter.
 
   Mr. Gormley: The Department for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government contacted me.

Mr. Gormley: My question is on promised legislation.  The Taoiseach is aware that yesterday evening Dublin City Council voted in favour of a scheme for the sale of local authority flats.  For this to happen a number of legislative proposals on the desk of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government since July must be enacted.  The Taoiseach will agree that this is important and must happen.  The legislation concerns the common areas of flat complexes, service charges and changes to the Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) Act 1978.  When will we see these changes come before the House?
 
   The Taoiseach: The matter should be taken up in a question to the Minister.  This issue was cleared yesterday and would need to be debated with the Minister.
 
   Mr. Gormley: Does the Taoiseach know whether there is legislation?
 
   The Taoiseach: The Deputy should put a question to the Minister.  Some of these issues did not come up previously, while some are old.  It is best to put a question to the Minister.

163. Mr. Gormley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she is taking to decrease the waiting list for an occupational therapy assessment; if she will sanction the employment of more community occupational therapy posts within the health service and rescind the employment ceiling which has been in place since March 2003; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38813/05]
 
   Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. T. O’Malley): The Deputy’s question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004.  Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.  There is no embargo on recruitment to any area of the health services nor is there any plan to introduce one.

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