Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The fast-track planning process is an important response that we have made to the current shortage. The board has, within its statutory timeline and within the 100% compliance rate to which I referred, approved 5,400 homes and 4,400 student spaces. Currently, a further 3,000 homes are in hand for decision. The board will do that work within the timelines that have been given.

A new chairperson has been appointed to the board. He has come from the Department and is fully aware of the challenges we face in planning in general because he was involved in Project Ireland 2040 and more specifically in housing because of the work he has done in that area.

An additional board member was appointed this year to help deal with the specific difficulties that we face in housing. Currently, I am considering appointing another board member. Another change I am considering involves reducing the quorum necessary for decisions to be made on smaller cases. We do not need to have the same number of members adjudicating on smaller cases compared to larger cases, which could involve a significant number of homes. Having said that, if an application involves more than 30 homes, it will get special attention anyway.

I referred to the dedicated unit of ten people. The unit is working with two board members and is producing results when it comes to housing. Of course, I have responsibility for more than housing and, therefore, I am working with the new chairperson and the board to drive up compliance rates generally across the board.

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