I propose to take Questions Nos. 280 and 347 together.
My Department and An Bord Pleanála have been discussing on an ongoing basis a range of measures to enable the board to process appeals more expeditiously in the context of the continued escalation in the number of appeals being received and the functions that will be transferred to the board in accordance with the provisions of the Planning and Development Act, 2000. Both the Department and the board regularly review the staffing position of An Bord Pleanála to ensure that all necessary resources are made available to the board. In this regard, in July of this year I approved an increase of 29 additional staff, nine professional planners and 20 administrative staff, which brings An Bord Pleanála's authorised staff complement to 134, excluding board members. I expect that these additional staff will assist the board in reducing the time it takes to decide appeals. In consultation with the board, I will continue to keep the situation under review in light of the trend in the volume of appeals and the board's performance. I have no proposals on hand at present from the board for additional staff. I have not, to date, received any request from the board for approval for an additional 35 planners.