Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2024
392. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if An Bord Pleanála has requested additional resources for staffing in the past 12 months; and, if so, the roles for which additional funds were sought. [16162/24]
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.
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, including the approval and sanctioning of 59 new posts in April 2023. The Board has advised that as of 31 March 2024 there were 262 individuals working in the Board including Board Members. The Board received approval and sanction from my Department for a total of 313 posts to date. A increase in budget of €5million over 2023 has been made available to the Board for 2024 to enable sanctioned staffing levels to increase to more than 300 people and 15 decision-making board members to be maintained.
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.
