Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 November 2020
104. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the cost of running An Bord Pleanála for 12 month periods (details supplied); the number of persons employed by the board in each period; the number of planning decisions issued during each year; the average waiting time for a decision to be reached on an appeal submitted in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35677/20]
View answerMy Department engages with An Bord Pleanála on an ongoing basis to ensure that it has the appropriate resources to perform its broad range of functions which includes planning appeals, strategic infrastructure and strategic housing development planning applications, vacant site levy appeals and other matters which are submitted for determination under Planning and Development, Water Pollution, and Building Control legislation.
The Board currently has a complement of 9 members and has over 160 other staff employed. I am satisfied that the Board has the necessary resources to deliver effectively and efficiently on its important statutory mandate and functions. I and my Department will continue to engage with the Board in this regard in the years ahead.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to An Bord Pleanála is set out in the table below:
|
Year |
Total Expenditure (less pension adjustment) |
Average Whole Time Equiv. Staff |
Chairperson & Board Members (total) |
Cases Disposed - ALL |
Time to dispose (weeks) |
Cases Disposed – Normal Planning Appeals only |
Time to dispose (weeks) |
|
2015 |
16,640,076 |
130.6 |
9 |
1966 |
17.1 |
1637 |
15.1 |
|
2016 |
18,385,101 |
131.4 |
9 |
2078 |
17.1 |
1745 |
15.5 |
|
2017 |
19,056,454 |
138 |
9 |
2143 |
18.3 |
1742 |
16.8 |
|
2018 |
21,184,638 |
151 |
9 |
2848 |
23.25 |
2159 |
22.46 |
|
2019 |
22,006,704 |
162.2 |
10 |
2971 |
18.71 |
2115 |
18.43 |
Following submission to the Minister, annual reports covering both financial and performance aspects of An Bord Pleanála, have been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in each of the years concerned. This is in accordance with the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). These reports can be viewed on the Board's website www.pleanala.ie.
