COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, May 11, 2026
QUESTION NO. 4
QUESTION: Councillor L. de Courcy
To ask the Chief Executive to confirm what steps SDCC has taken to identify all premises within its functional area that are operating as international protection accommodation without a valid notification, exemption or planning permission, and what action the Council proposes to take in respect of any such premises identified?
REPLY:
The Planning Department does not maintain a central register of premises used for international protection accommodation. Notwithstanding this, the Planning Authority manages changes in the use of premises within its functional area through a combination of statutory planning functions, including the assessment of planning applications, Section 5 exemption requests and enforcement complaints received from members of the public or elected representatives.
Where information comes to the attention of the Planning Authority suggesting that a premises may be operating as international protection accommodation without the benefit of a valid planning permission, exemption or notification, the matter is assessed on a case-by-case basis having regard to the specific facts, the nature of the use, the relevant classes of exempted development and the provisions of the Planning and Development legalisation. Any enforcement action pursued by the Council is carried out in accordance with statutory requirements.