Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy recognised the very big change we made in the resourcing of An Bord Pleanála. I met its chairman and new chief executive, and members of his management team, last Thursday morning. We have increased from 40% to 50% the ability of An Bord Pleanála to hire people. Later in the year, that will lead to an even bigger increase in the number of staff working there, which will have a big impact on the output of its planning decisions. It is important to also acknowledge that the planning applications in An Bord Pleanála which, to use the Deputy's phrase, are currently stuck there are not just due to the fact there might not be enough staff in place to process them at the speed we want but because people have exercised their democratic right to object to them. That has a consequence. It takes longer to evaluate and give an answer to projects, in particular, big infrastructure projects. Nonetheless, I take the Deputy's point, which is a fair one. Up until recently, we needed a bigger An Bord Pleanála, one that got over the challenges of a year or so ago. I believe that is happening. I am confident the Deputy will see the output from that during the year.

On the point made about the answer the Deputy got back from the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, I will certainly get a copy of the answer to that parliamentary question or the Deputy might share it with me. My understanding is the reason some houses or properties might not be used for projects at present is they are being changed, retrofitted or changes are being made to those buildings. That in turn is why they are currently not in use. Some of them may not be in use. I am sure the Deputy will give me more information on it. Certainly, from hearing the Minister speak about this issue, my understanding is the majority of facilities he and the Government have access to are being used but it takes time to get buildings active and ready for use.

On empty properties that, for example, the OPW has, we need to consider two issues. One is their suitability for alternative use and the other is the cost of converting them to alternative use. There may be other uses in the future for which they are being set aside. The OPW wants to renovate and change many buildings it has at present but it also has a budget. It has to decide how to prioritise the use of that budget. In some cases, the costs involved in changing buildings that may be empty or not in use for so long have to be considered as the OPW could be open to the charge that there could be a better use for that money. I will certainly look at the point the Deputy raised regarding the number of buildings he claimed are not being used. I cannot understand why. I have given the reason I understand they might not be in use at present.