Mr. Seamus McCarthy:

As members are aware, An Bord Pleanála was established under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 1976. The board is responsible for the determination of appeals and certain other matters under the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2018 and for the determination of direct planning applications for strategic housing and infrastructure development. The board also has responsibility for dealing with proposals for the compulsory acquisition of land and with determining appeals under the water pollution and building control Acts.

The board's income in 2018 totalled €24.4 million. Just over €4 million, or 17%, comprised fee receipts. Oireachtas grant funding issued in 2018 from the Vote for housing, planning and local government amounted to €17.5 million. Expenditure on salaries and related costs amounted to €16 million, representing around two thirds of the board's expenditure in 2018. Expenditure on legal fees amounted to €3.3 million, or 14% of the total. The balance of expenditure, of €4.7 million, related to premises and other operating expenses. The surplus for the year was €552,000. I certified the 2018 financial statements on 19 June 2019 and issued a clear audit opinion.