Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes.

I thank the Chair and Deputies. We discussed the matter of resources a fair bit yesterday so I will not labour the point. For the matter of record, however, it was said that the board requires more than 300 staff, which it does. That is why it has a full sanction of 330 staff. Since 2022, 93 new posts have been sanctioned, 78 of which are filled. That is good progress, which has to be recognised. I also gave numbers yesterday for the additional posts in local authorities, and that a further 100 will be approved there. We will deal with the board as well because both are relevant, but the 2000 Act also includes provisions in respect of planning authorities, where a planning authority fails to make a decision within the period. It is in the current Act. It is not something new. There needs to be a focus, including within planning authorities, that when deadlines are set, they are met. If they are not met within the statutory timeframes, that should be a rare occasion as opposed to the more prevalent occasions we have seen over the years. Some of that has been down to previous lack of resourcing but we are addressing that. When the Bill is passed and enacted, transitional measures will be in place.

I met with the Office of the Planning Regulator regarding fees. It has done a very good piece of work on the fees charged around the cost of processing applications. Should we bring forward proposals to increase those fees, I hope that we will get cross-party support for doing so. I agree that those fees need to be updated. A significant piece of work and research has been done on that so we now have a real basis on which to look at the length of time spent. On the flipside of that, for applicants who have made applications, there is also a very significant cost to them due to delays. In some instances, this is not just a monetary cost. I am sure all Deputies present have dealt with cases whereby individual families or individuals are experiencing, or have experienced, planning delays. That has an impact on them and their families.

When timelines are set they should be met. The large-scale residential development, LRD, legislation we brought forward is an example of where we have set timelines for the board that work. Under that legislation, by way of replacement of the strategic housing development, SHD, system, which I said I would abolish when I was in the Opposition and did in Government, all LRD timelines for housing have been met by An Bord Pleanála. That is good. I have engaged with the board on this, which also gives that focus. This is not about a stick to beat anyone with. It genuinely is not. It is to reinforce the importance of statutory guidelines that are set down. They are already there with regard to the planning authorities and will be set down in this legislation with regard to An Bord Pleanála. We have engaged with An Bord Pleanála on the timeframes and on what will happen. I met the board a number of weeks ago in advance of Christmas. It is now working to prepare for those timeframes and understands where we are coming from in that regard.

What we all want is an efficient and modern planning system. That is why we need the change in legislation to underpin that and, where we set timelines, to ensure those timelines are met. There will be exceptional cases where they are not. However, I respectfully disagree with the idea that there would be a file somewhere of planning decisions that still need to be made, and that in some way, shape or form, a planner, respecting the professionalism and the integrity of our planners throughout the country, will make a rushed decision on something simply on the basis a financial payment might have to be made for not meeting that timeline. We should be target driven. We are target driven on delivery of houses. All parties want to be, and we certainly are. We should also be target driven in relation to speedy and efficient decisions that are made.

I respect the points the Deputies made. I have outlined my position very clearly in that regard. I will not accept those amendments.