Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 November 2016
77. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied with the timeframe it takes An Bord Pleanála to decide on basic housing application appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37834/16]
View answerUnder Section 126 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, An Bord Pleanála has a statutory objective to determine appeals within 18 weeks. Where the Board does not consider it possible or appropriate to reach a decision within 18 weeks (e.g. because of the particular complexities of a case or the requirement to hold an oral hearing), it will inform the parties of the reasons for this, and will indicate when it intends to make its decision.
The compliance rate with the statutory objective period for normal planning appeals stood at 82 % as of end October 2016, and the average time taken was 15.4 weeks.
In addition, in line with Government policy in respect of the provision of housing, all appeals relating to housing developments of over 30 units are prioritised by the Board for decision.
The Report of the Independent Review Group on the operations of An Bord Pleanála, published on 14 March 2016, is a comprehensive document containing over 100 recommendations, including recommendations to change the statutory objective timeframes for the work of the Board.
A high-level implementation group, with representatives from my Department and the Board, has been established to oversee implementation of the Review Group recommendations, some of which may require legislative underpinning. The recommendations in relation to the statutory objective period will be considered in this context.
