COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, July 12, 2010

QUESTION NO. 26

QUESTION: Councillor E. Tuffy

Noting the reply to Question 25 at the June 2010 meeting of the Council, which reveals that approximately €34 million in Development Levy Contributions invoiced to developers by the Council remain unpaid , to ask the Manager if it will be possible to have some of the outstanding monies recovered from developers through NAMA,  to ask further if County Managers have raised this issue of payments of unpaid development levies with NAMA or the Minister for Finance, and further to ask if the Council can make public the names of development companies which individually  owe substantial amounts, say in excess of €1 million, in unpaid levies to South Dublin County Council?

REPLY:

There have been initial contacts between the CCMA and NAMA in relation to the issues arising from the NAMA process, (including outstanding Development contributions). Development Contributions are, (in the main), paid on a phased basis as the development proceeds but remain due as a condition of the planning permission attaching to the land, irrespective of ownership.

However, a number of factors may impact on the final amount due in respect of any specific development. These include discounts allowable for the carrying out of works in lieu of financial contributions; credits due for social or affordable housing; variations in the planning approved, development not being completed; development not commencing. These issues are resolved prior to final payment and compliance being issued in respect of a completed development.

It would therefore be difficult and inappropriate to publicly state that specified amounts are owed by particular developers on a general basis. However, in the event of enforcement through the courts such public individual disclosure would follow.