Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 December 2022
33. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps that are being taken to address backlogs of appeals being processed through An Bord Pleanála; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61125/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Bord Pleanála (the Board) is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and certain other Acts.
Section 126 of the Act provides that it shall be the duty and objective of the Board to decide appeals as expeditiously as may be and, for that purpose, to take all such steps as are open to it to ensure that, insofar as is practicable, there are no avoidable delays at any stage in the determination of appeals.
On October 4th, following Government approval, I published an Action Plan for An Bord Pleanála, which was informed by the Phase One review by the Office of the Planning Regulator of certain systems and procedures used by An Bord Pleanála. The Action Plan outlines several measures relating to the Board appointment process, structure, capacity, resourcing and operations within An Bord Pleanála. Its intention is to underpin public confidence in the efficacy and ability of An Bord Pleanála to decide cases and appeals in a timely manner while supporting the values of independence, impartiality and integrity.
The Action Plan for An Bord Pleanála notes the significant additional resourcing required in the Board across a number of functions, and approves 30 additional posts, in line with the Board’s 2022-2023 workforce plan, in the areas of:
- Strategic Housing Developments;
- Strategic Infrastructure Development;
- Marine planning functions; and
- Certain supporting corporate functions.
The Action Plan also notes that given the scale of operation, the transformation agenda and emerging functions in relation to the marine and climate action, the Executive Management Team (EMT), needs to be strengthened and it provides for 4 additional posts, specifically to provide for lead roles on legal services, ethics and corporate governance and transformation, as well as an additional Director of Planning to head up the Marine and Climate Unit.
In addition, the Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022, includes provisions to increase the overall number of ordinary Board members on the Board of An Bord Pleanála. This Bill is currently progressing through the Houses and is expected to be enacted by end December. The provision to increase the overall number of Board members is necessary so as to ensure that the significant caseload can be effectively processed, and the appropriate quorums and suitable allocation of casefiles can be assured.
Finally, An Bord Pleanála have received an increased exchequer allocation of €3.9million to bring its 2023 current funding allocation to €26.1million.
