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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 17 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 6

Written Answers - Planning Appeals.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

140 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the expected period within which a decision can be given by An Bord Pleanála; if this delay has increased recently; the action, if any, he will take to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28226/98]

Under section 2 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1992, An Bord Pleanála has a statutory objective of determining appeals within a four month period. The continuing growth in the number of appeals, which reflects the high levels of economic activity, has resulted in a fall off in the number of appeals being determined within four months. At the end of November, 64 per cent of appeals determined in 1998 had been determined within four months and 90 per cent had been determined within six months. The average time taken to determine appeals is 18.5 weeks compared to 16 weeks in 1997.

To ensure the planning appeal process operates in an efficient and effective manner and to help the board meet its statutory objective of determining appeals within four months, I have taken a number of measures this year. These include an increase in board membership of 50 per cent and approval to all other additional staffing sought by the board during the year. Appointments to the outstanding posts are expected to be finalised early in the new year. In light of these measures, I expect the board's performance to steadily improve and I will continue to monitor the board's performance to see if additional measures are required. The board has set itself the strategic objectives of determining 90 per cent of appeals within four months and reducing the average time taken to determine appeals to 14 weeks by this time next year.

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