Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
426. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to issue a circular to local authorities instructing them to accept planning applications online rather than in paper format in order to reduce unnecessary contact between agents lodging applications and local authority staff in view of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21950/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of planning offices should be in accordance with the terms of the Government's Roadmap for Re-Opening Society and Business, as published on 1 May 2020, and with all relevant public health and health and safety advice and protocols.
Under Article 22(3) of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, a planning authority already has the power to consent to the making of a planning application wholly or partly in searchable electronic or other electronic form.
One of the issues that has particularly come to light with regard to the planning system during the Covid-19 emergency is the need for the introduction of the proposed “eplanning” system allowing for the online submission of planning applications, appeals and associated fees. Work on the new system has been ongoing for the last 18 months and in light of the circumstances presented during the pandemic, the eplanning Project Board is now examining the feasibility of accelerating the development and roll-out of eplanning nationwide to all planning authorities as early as possible.
Once the development and testing of eplanning is complete, including the making of the necessary regulations to underpin the new system, a Circular Letter will issue to all Planning Authorities on the deployment of the new online planning application process.
