COUNTY Donegal is
bucking the national planning trend with the county
having among the highest number of applications
granted in the first quarter of 2009. Donegal County
Council granted a total of 415 planning permissions
from January - March 2009 including 239 houses; 113
extensions; 17 conversions and 46 other. The figures
from the CSO show that Co Donegal recorded the
highest number of permissions granted in the Border
region with Cavan on 301 permissions; Louth 207;
Sligo 153; Monaghan 124 and Leitrim 81. Nationally,
total permissions granted for houses and apartments
is down 23.7% on last year. By comparison with
Donegal, for example, Co Galway recorded a total of
460 planning permissions granted from January - May
2009 while Co Mayo had 236.
The figures show that planning permission was
granted for 14,177 homes nationally in the first
three months of this year. This compares to 18,582
units in the same period last year.
Meanwhile, the Government is expected to consider a
further drop in the rate of rent allowance it pays
because rents have fallen nationally. The
recommendations are from the Government spending-cut
group – known as 'An Bord Snip Nua' which will
submit its long-anticipated report this week. The
board is expected to recommend cuts amounting to
between €4 billion and €5 billion in Government
expenditure. |
