Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 April 2025
638. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average wait time for decisions from An Bord Pleanála on developments (details supplied); the number of inspectors on An Bord Pleanála on 1 January 2020; and the number on 1 April 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17338/25]
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.
The Planning and Development Act 2024, includes a number of new provisions relating to the Board, which will be renamed An Coimisiún Pleanála, as part of a significant restructure. The Act will introduce statutory time periods for decision making for all consent processes, including, for the first time, for the Board/An Coimisiún Pleanála. This will bring increased certainty to the planning consent processes, for both the public and stakeholders involved in the delivery of key infrastructure such as housing and renewable energy.
For Coimisiún processes, timelines are being introduced for appeals as well as the various consents applications made directly to the Coimisiún, including Strategic Infrastructure Developments. It is intended that they will be introduced on a phased basis, starting with those for Strategic Infrastructure Developments (including energy and transport projects).
While the specific information requested is not held by my Department, data reported to my Department confirms that significant progress is being made by the Board in addressing historic backlogs and processing delays. The total number of cases on hand on 28 February 2025 was 1,457, down from 2,361 on the equivalent date in 2024, a reduction of 38% in one year. As recently as May 2023, the number of cases on hand was 3,616. This increased workload has been enabled by significant additional resources provided through my Department.
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 Oíreachtas. 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 .
