Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If there is a requirement for further information, it is impossible to have it done in the 18-week period. An Bord Pleanála is also trying to set a target for larger schemes for 18 weeks, but that is challenging unless we can give it more resources. We have said we want it to prioritise large-scale residential developments in order that we can get the right decisions made in the system as quickly as possible. To be accurate, it has 146 staff. Just in case €9.5 million sounds like a lot of money - in case anyone is looking for a headline - it is broken up between 146 staff. The committee will see some initiatives on An Bord Pleanála in the housing action plan in a few weeks time.