Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2023
383. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report the workforce plan at An Bord Pleanála; the staffing costs at An Bord Pleanála; the staffing levels; the full year cost to recruit one WTE per staffing level; and the full year cost to recruit one HTE per staffing level [55031/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra423. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of WTE and HTE staff, by grade, in An Bord Pleanála, in tabular form. [54993/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 383 and 423 together.
An 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.
There are now more people working at the Board than at any time previously. Since October 2021, my Department has agreed to 117 new staffing posts in the Board, as detailed below.
• In October 2021, my Department approved an additional 24 posts across a range of technical and administrative grades including the setting up of a new Marine and Climate Unit.
• In December 2022, 34 additional posts were sanctioned, and the Board is in the process of filling these positions.
• In April 2023, the Board submitted sanction requests for a total of 59 new posts, all of which were approved by my Department.
Details of specific staffing level and costs are an operational matter for the Board. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála in this regard is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
