Vol. 416 No. 6
315 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment if he will reconsider the recent decisions made to increase the planning appeal costs from £50 to £100 and also the increase in the cost of getting an oral hearing; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The purpose of the recent increase in fees payable to An Bord Pleanála was to ensure that persons participating in the planning appeals process make a more substantial contribution towards the considerable costs of that process. Even after this increase, fee income will meet less than 25 per cent of the board's operating costs. The fee payable to the board in respect of a request for an oral hearing has not been increased.
