Planning Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022

Tuesday, 1 March 2022

Questions (360)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

360. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether the staffing levels proposed by An Bord Pleanála for its new marine and climate unit within the strategic infrastructure development structure will be sufficient to deal with the number of planning applications expected from offshore renewable energy projects in the coming years; if he will consider working with industry, the environmental sector and other key stakeholders to identify the likely resources demands that An Bord Pleanála will face in successfully and robustly processing these applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11313/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

In October 2021 my Department approved the 2021-2022 An Bord Pleanála (the Board) Workforce Plan which provides for an additional 24 posts across a range of technical and administrative grades including the creation of a new Marine and Climate Unit to implement the role assigned to the Board under the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021. Following an updated assessment by the Board of resourcing issues likely to emerge as a result of planning applications for the National Development Plan and other infrastructure projects as well as legislative changes, a new workforce plan will be submitted to my Department by the Board for consideration shortly.

In this regard, my Department is actively engaging with the Board and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications to identify the necessary specialisms that will be required to ensure that the Board is adequately resourced to carry out comprehensive assessments and make robust decisions on marine projects. My Department will continue to work closely with the Board throughout the establishment of the marine and climate unit and into the future to support the Board in resourcing and accessing the necessary specialisms to fulfil its statutory functions.