MEPA makes €17.2 million out of development permit fees in three years

Replying to a parliamentary question, Joseph Muscat said that between 2012 and this year, MEPA issued more than 3,000 permits each year

The highest income from development permits was recorded in 2014
The highest income from development permits was recorded in 2014

In a span of three years, MEPA received €17.2 million out of development permit fees.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said this in a reply to a parliamentary question by government whip Godfrey Farrugia.

The highest income from development permits was recorded in 2014, with €5.9 million. The amount remained more or less the same for the previous year. As for 2012, MEPA recorded €5.4 million in permit fees.

In numbers presented in Parliament, Muscat showed that the number of development permits issued each year exceeded the 3,000. Although the year 2015 has not yet come to a close, development permits this year have already exceeded the 4,000 mark.

The Prime Minister remarked that since April 2013, development permit fees have been decreased.  He explained how some development fees were lowered by more than half.

In a separate reply, Joseph Muscat added that MEPA also received more than 23,000 Development Notification Permits (DNOs).