asked the Minister for the Environment (a) the total number of appeals currently before An Bord Pleanála from County Wexford; (b) the reasons it is taking over six months to reach a decision on such appeals; and (c) if he considers that such delays are having serious effects of the building industry.
Written Answers. - County Wexford Planning Appeals.
560.
The number of appeals before An Bord Pleanála at the end of April 1985, from Wexford (county, borough and urban districts) was 29. Of these, 15 were on hands for less than three months, ten from three to six months and four for over six months. The time taken to deal with individual appeals varies, depending on a number of factors, many of which are outside the control of the board. Of the appeals decided to date in 1985, 28 per cent were dealt with in less than six months and a further 41 per cent took from six to nine months to reach decision stage. I am satisfied that the board are making every effort to reduce the time taken to deal with appeals and I understand that special attention is being given to those cases which have been on hands for long periods. The total number of appeals on hands at the end of April 1985 was reduced to 1,274 as against 2,281 one year earlier and 3,582 at the end of April 1983.