Planning delays at An Bord Pleanála
Deputy Seán Canney highlighted major delays for one-off houses and other planning applications stuck with An Bord Pleanála, with costs rising while people wait. The Housing Minister said he had met the new board, sought a backlog plan, added staff and would publish the consolidated planning Bill.
I wish to raise the issue of housing and delays in the planning process but more importantly, the number of one-off houses or estates that are tied up with An Bord Pleanála. I know the Government is very much aware of this, but what types of measures are being put in immediately to provide the resources to make sure decisions are made?
I know people who have one-off houses who have been waiting for a decision from An Bord Pleanála for up to ten and 12 months and they are being deferred all the time. These people want to build houses and the cost is rising all the time.
If we are to build houses in a reasonable way, we need to make sure there is a process in An Bord Pleanála that gets us through that. In its statutory timeframe, we should introduce that to make sure the required houses are delivered.
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy for the question. On overdue decisions within the board, I met with the new board of An Bord Pleanála last week and have asked it to come forward with a plan for the backlog, particularly but not exclusively in areas of residential development. We have provided over the past 12 months sanction for an additional 59 staff so far.
This Thursday I will publish the consolidated planning Bill, the most significant reform of planning legislation embarked on since at least 2000. It will continue our reform of An Bord Pleanála, which is urgently required. I have sought a plan from the board to tackle the backlog. We had a good meeting last week with all the new board members and the new interim chair. I will keep the Deputy informed of progress.