Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. In connection with the housing crisis, another issue which has come up a number of times in my discussions with businesspeople and developers is the length of time it takes to get planning permission. Developers who want to build houses have told me it can take up to three or four years to get planning permission, which is far too long.

The delays begin when working with local authorities to design suitable sites. When applications are granted, they are then more than likely appealed to An Bord Pleanála for approval. One person told me recently that his planning application for over 40 houses has been with An Bord Pleanála for over two years, with no definitive date for decision. With the related issues of a housing crisis and a crisis in companies trying to secure staff, can a time limit be set for An Bord Pleanála to make a decision on large-scale housing developments, similar to the one put in place for local authorities? Local authorities have to make a decision on a planning application within eight weeks of it being lodged. I believe this would speed up the delivery of housing.

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