asked the Minister for the Environment the reason for the delay in dealing with planning appeals; and if he has consulted with An Bord Pleanála in the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Planning Appeals.
7.
There are a number of factors which will always give rise to delays in dealing with planning appeals. These include delays by appellants in submitting grounds of appeal, requests that appeals be held in abeyance, delays in receipt of essential documents, the inadequate plans submitted with some applications, the need to circulate documents to all parties, and so on.
However, there was a significant increase in the number of appeals on hands in the second half of 1982 and in the early months of 1983 and an exceptionally high number of appeals, 3,502, was on hands at the end of March 1983. During that month correspondence was initiated with the board regarding the build up of appeals. With the board's agreement my Department carried out a survey in May 1983 aimed at streamlining the administrative procedures within the organisation and most of the recommendations were accepted by the board. Moreover, additional administrative staff were made available temporarily from the Department to deal with a particular bottleneck. Some overtime working was authorised, departmental inspectors were assigned on a part-time basis to appeals work and the board were authorised to recruit four additional inspectors, as well as an increased number of part-time professional staff.
The number of appeals on hands peaked at 3,595 at the end of May 1983 but had been reduced to 2,452 at the end of December 1983. With the fall in the intake of appeals further reductions in the numbers on hands may be anticipated.
Is the Minister aware that over 400 planning appeals have been with the board for periods longer than 12 months? Why should this be so? Is it not because there is an inadequate number of inspectors to deal with the number of appeals before the board? Is it not true that the four additional inspectors who are authorised, but who have not yet been appointed, are not being appointed because of a dispute between the board, the inspectorate and the Department, none of which information the Minister seems to be prepared to give to the House?
I have indicated what has happened in about the past year and a half. I am satisfied that the number of appeals has been reduced considerably in the latter half of last year and that due attention was given to the structures to the board by my predecessor when a huge number of appeals were on hand. Work has been proceeding at a much faster rate in the past six months.
Uimhir 8.
In regard to all these delays in dealing with planning appeals, could I ask the Minister is there a dispute between the planning inspectorate, the board, the Department and whatever unions are involved?
I am not aware of any dispute.
Following that surprising answer could I ask the Minister whether he or his predecessor received a request from the chairman of the board to meet with the board to discuss these problems?
I have not had a request to discuss the problems with the board. I think my predecessor had such a request.
Would the Minister accept that a request to his predecessor which would not have been responded to yet would still be current until responded to by the incumbent office holder? The Minister is the incumbent now, and surely that request stands validly before him. Will he respond to that request to discuss this dispute which is causing such serious disruption in the working of An Bord Pleanála? I understand a work to rule is being operated by the inspectorate.
We cannot debate that.
If the Minister is not prepared to give out the information I can only give it out myself.
I understand that the chairman of An Bord Pleanála may not be available until some time soon as a result of an illness which requires attention.
I am very sorry to hear that the chairman is ill. It is only in the past week or so that he could have become ill because recently he gave evidence before the Oireachtas Committee on Building Land. The acting chairman would be the appropriate person. That request still stands. Is the Minister prepared to meet with the chairman for the time being of An Bord Pleanála to discuss a dispute which is having a serious effect on the output of planning appeal decisions?
I am ready to meet anybody in situations such as this and if it is necessary to do so I am available at any time.
Does the Minister accept that there is a request before him? Will he respond positively to it? It is not a question of waiting for a request.
If there was a request to my predecessor in this regard I will certainly respond.