asked the Minister for the Environment if he will take immediate steps to expedite the decision making process of An Bord Pleanála as inordinate long delays are being experienced by applicants for planning permission whose cases are on appeal as a result of objections having been lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - An Bord Pleanála.
36.
In view particularly of the current economic difficulties I am very anxious that there should be no avoidable delays in the planning process. This concern has been conveyed to An Bord Pleanála.
It must be recognised that in many cases delays are caused by factors which are beyond the control of the board including delays by parties concerned in completing appeals and in proceeding with them. However, the present level of arrears in dealing with appeals cannot be regarded as satisfactory. New administrative procedures which have been introduced should help to reduce delays and the question of strengthening the board's inspectorate is also being pursued. I am considering what other steps might be taken to bring about an improvement in the situation.
Is the Minister in a position to say how many applications are now before An Bord Pleanála? Would the Minister also agree that six to 12 months is an inordinate delay in having a simple appeal processed? Sometimes these appeals are very petty and construction work such as housing extensions and so on are held up because of that. Is the Minister prepared to give time to a complete review of the operations of An Bord Pleanála with a view to improving it? Would the Minister agree that many of these applications and appeals could be considered at local level and expertise there could be used to process them, without them having to be brought to a central authority?
In answer to the first part of the Deputy's supplementary, there were 3,255 appeals on hand at the end of 1982. The board disposed of more than that in the same year, 3,662 appeals. The Department, the Minister and the Minister of State—to satisfy Deputy Molloy— are aware of the concern expressed by the construction industry and interested groups with the current operation of An Bord Pleanála and the matter is under serious review.
As the Minister is aware, the local authority must make a decision within two months from date of application. Is he prepared to put a reasonable time limit on applications to An Bord Pleanála?
That proposal which has been made before now will be taken in the review that is currently going on.
The Minister states that other considerations are being attended to. Will he consider decentralising An Bord Pleanála?
The Deputy might elaborate on what he means by decentralising.
Responsibility for Connacht could be transferred to some part of Connacht and responsibility for Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan could be transferred to there. It is difficult for someone from Donegal to come to An Bord Pleanála to find out what is happening about a planning appeal on which, as a Deputy has pointed out, it has taken from eight to ten months for a decision to be made. It is unfair and very expensive for someone from the provinces to come to Dublin. Why can this not be done at local level?
We are aware of the difficulties that exist. All proposals which will have the effect of improving the operation of An Bord Pleanála will be given serious consideration.
Arising——
I am allowing one more supplementary because the Minister has stated that he accepts the question and the matter is being looked into.
How many members are now operating on An Bord Pleanála including the chairman? I will add a second question. Will the Minister agree that there seems to be a very poor return to the community arising out of the change? Previously the Minister for the Environment was responsible for making the decisions in planning appeals. That is one person with possibly the assistance of the Minister of State. Now a number of people are appointed to An Bord Pleanála and the output seems very disappointing and has led to the type of question which is on the Order Paper. Will the Minister suggest to the members of An Bord Pleanála that they might consider improving their output, seeing that two people were able to keep up with a fairly substantial output previously as well as having responsibility for running this large Department, which these people do not have?
I am reading from the Book of Precedents that my predecessors have ruled that on supplementary questions speeches, statements, argument and debate are not in order. I would like the House in general to note that. It is not directed to anybody in particular.
The Minister has conceded that he is prepared to review the operations of An Bord Pleanála. Is he prepared to come back to the House with a report and let it be discussed here?
Ceist Uimhir 37.
The whole operation of An Bord Pleanála is under review and when that review is completed the House will have an opportunity to discuss it.
How many members are there?
I understand there are eight but I want to check my figures.
How much are they paid?
Something in the region of £17,000 to £18,000 per annum.
Each?
Yes. Is the Deputy proposing that we bring back former Deputy Tully?
Is the Minister in a position to state the time scale regarding appeals at present? At one time we were told it was six months. It must be well over 12 months now.
That information is not directly related to the question, but on average it is taken as between nine and 12 months depending on the nature of the appeal, the accuracy of the information and the speed with which submissions are submitted by all parties concerned.