Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Chair is probably aware, the CCMA, which was before the committee, has identified a need to have 541 planners across all the local authorities. A working group has been established in the Department to look at that. It is not just about recruitment; we must ensure we have a pipeline of planners. There is a worry that many of the planners who have been recruited by one authority have simply been poached from another authority. There is an acceptance of the need and a body of work is under way.

I will turn specifically to An Bord Pleanála.

The current board comprises nine members, which includes two temporary board members, who are due to commence in a number of days' time, 27 February and 1 March, respectively. In the coming days, the Minister will interview a further candidate for appointment for a term of five years, with marine and environment experience. This competition was managed by the Public Appointments Service. A list of two candidates was submitted to the Minister on 22 February. A competition for further temporary appointments from the Civil Service and the public service is under way and closes tomorrow, Friday 24 February. The appointments will be for a period of up to one year. In December 2022, new legislation was passed to move from the previous process of nominating bodies recommending board members to a new open recruitment system based on transparency and objective criteria.

As you are probably aware, Chair, the recent legislation provided for an increase in the maximum number of board members from ten to 15. Arrangements are being put in place for the new recruitment process for full-time board members and, in the interim, temporary board members are being appointed. As it stands, there are nine members, including the chair, plus a deputy chair, and then a further seven members. We are looking over time to increase that to 15. They are the two areas.