Mr. Niall Cussen:

We have a general competency regarding undertaking research and analysis into the overall performance of the planning process. The provision of resources to the service is a matter for Ministers and Departments through the various Estimates, budgetary processes and so on. We have completed much work in our initial set-up. As the resourcing issue becomes clearer, we are ready to do more work in that space and we can. In my statement, I highlighted that planning fees have not changed since 2001. The planning application for a domestic dwelling requires a €65 fee to a local authority. The drawings from an architect will cost many times that, going into the thousands, yet the local authority is expected to take the file, handle it in its own systems, undertake inspections, send people out, check public notices and do the whole process for €65. It means it is, in effect, constantly trying to balance its books and effectively subsidising the delivery of planning services from ratepayers and other sources of income. In other administrations that I have studied, planning tends to be more of a self-financing service. Indeed, a degree of that is already recognised in the legislative code because the board itself can set fees and revise fees every three years, taking account of the consumer price index, CPI, and so on without necessarily going back to the Minister. There are provisions in the Bill which largely replicate this.

We need to have a conversation about how the planning process is resourced and funds itself. It is a matter for the Legislature and policymakers as to whether we take on any additional roles in that regard. I think regular fitness reviews of resources-----