A decision to grant or refuse a valid planning application is generally made by a planning authority within 8 weeks from the date of receipt of the application. However, the decision period can vary, particularly if the planning authority seeks further information from the applicant in relation to the proposed development which it should do within the first 8 weeks after receipt of the planning application. In such instances, the planning authority then has 4 weeks from the date the further information is received to make a decision on the application or 8 weeks in cases where an environmental impact statement or a Natura impact statement is required. A period of 4 weeks is allowed for the making of an appeal to An Bord Pleanála after the date of the decision by the planning authority and the Board has a statutory objective of deciding on appeals within 18 weeks. My Department does not collect information in relation to individual planning applications lodged with a planning authority in respect of development supported by the IDA or Enterprise Ireland. Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular planning case with which a planning authority, or An Bórd Pleanála, is or may be concerned.
Further streamlining enhancements to the planning system are proposed in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2015 which is presently being progressed through the Houses of the Oireachtas with a view to enactment before the end of the year. Additional streamlining of the planning system will be brought forward in a further Bill – the Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill – which it is intended to publish before the end of the year. As outlined in the Government’s Construction 2020 Strategy, which was published in May 2014, every effort is being made to ensure our planning system is appropriately positioned to facilitate sustainable development, economic growth and underpin our economic recovery.
