Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 1

Written Answers. - Planning Applications.

Enda Kenny

Question:

166 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the number of planning applications referred to Dúchas for observation in the past 12 months; the number currently not dealt with; and if she will make a statement on the average response time from Dúchas in these matters. [11221/00]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

The number of planning applications received by Dúchas, The heritage service of my Department in 1999 and in 2000, to date, was 7,700 and 2,210 respectively. You will appreciate that the number currently not dealt with varies continually from day to day but a reasonable estimate of those currently outstanding is 750-800. Average response time can vary from day of receipt, dealt with by a telephone call to six weeks or so.

The number of planning applications received by Dúchas in the four preceding years were 2,700, 3,100, 4,500 and 6,100 respectively and represent a near three-fold increase between 1995 and 1999. The increase is as a result of the growth in the economy over the same period as well as an increased awareness of heritage matters generally.

As can be seen from the figures the volume of consultations has grown considerably. It is not possible to offer a detailed level of advice in all cases. In cases where Dúchas have no objections they advise the planning authorities only when requested to do so. The regulations impose a rigid time-frame on planning authorities for giving a decision. As planning authorities are statutorily obliged to make a decision by a certain date, the submission of an assessment, where warranted, by my Department cannot be regarded as in any way material in any perceived delay in the handling and processing of some planning applications.

I believe that the advice offered by Dúchas is professional and it has helped save aspects of our heritage from damage through inappropriate development. Generally there are sufficient staff to deal with planning applications in an efficient and effective manner although I propose providing additional resources for archaeology in this area.