Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 938: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason for the excessive delay in processing appeals through An Bord Pleanála; the average time for processing an appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23626/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Under Section 126 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, An Bord Pleanála has a statutory objective to determine appeals within 18 weeks. Where the Board does not consider it possible or appropriate to reach a decision within 18 weeks (e.g. because of delays arising from the holding of an oral hearing), it will inform the parties of the reasons for this, and will indicate when it intends to make the decision.

Record levels of case intake over successive years 2004-2006 and the assumption of significant new functions under the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006 challenged An Bord Pleanála's ability to achieve its statutory objective. According to the Board's annual report for 2007, the 18-week statutory objective was met in 48% of all cases, compared to 52% in 2006.

However, in recognition of the key role the Board plays in relation to delivery of local and national infrastructure and of the demands arising from sustained record levels of appeals over recent years, sanction was given in 2007 for an additional 35.5 permanent staff, bringing the total complement to 172.