Vol. 555 No. 1
38 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his plans for the provision of additional staff or resources for An Bord Pleanála, having regard to the recent findings of the value for money report of the Comptroller and Auditor General showing a significant increase in the time period for hearing of appeals and a substantial increase in the backlog of cases pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17360/02]
195 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the steps being taken to address staff shortages in An Bord Pleanála and planning departments in local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17566/02]
331 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on whether delays within the planning system at local level and within An Bord Pleanála are inhibiting job creation; his further views on whether this is due to inadequate resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17734/02]
358 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on whether staff shortages in An Bord Pleanála are inhibiting industrial growth and job creation in a wide range of developments; and if such projects will be given top priority to fastrack decisions which have been appealed. [17766/02]
363 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has satisfied himself that An Bord Pleanála has the resources necessary to fulfil its functions. [17771/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 195, 331, 358 and 363 together.
The recent value for money report on planning appeals by the Comptroller and Auditor General examined the management of the appeals system, the factors impacting on its effectiveness and measures to improve the quality control of the system. The report did not make any specific recommendations in relation to the staffing or resourcing of An Bord Pleanála, which has benefited from substantial additions to its staffing and financing in recent years. Board membership has doubled from six in 1998 to the present membership of 12; the authorised staffing complement increased by 29 in 2000 and by a further four in 2001 to a current level of 138; 79 planners have been engaged on a fee per case basis to provide reports on the smaller types of appeals; seven consultancy firms have been engaged to provide reports on the larger cases and a panel of consultants has been set up to hold hearings in relation to motorway schemes, CPOs and other procedures devolved to the board under the Planning and Development Act, 2000.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's report notes that since the mid-1990s, there has been a growing backlog of cases resulting from the major increase in the number of planning appeals in recent years. I am pleased to note that the situation in relation to the backlog of cases has been reversed dramatically during 2002, falling from a peak of 2,700 at the end of year 2000 to less than 1,600 cases as at end September 2002. The board has stated its confidence that the entire backlog will have been cleared by end November 2002 to a sustainable ongoing level of 1,500 cases on hand. It is anticipated that once the backlog has cleared there will be a marked improvement in the percentage of cases determined with the statutory objective period.
