Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 23: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether delays in the planning process and in particular in relation to planning appeals are inhibiting much needed development throughout the country; and if he has proposals in this regard. [3492/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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There are two basic elements in the planning system — the determination of planning applications by planning authorities, and the determination by An Bord Pleanála of planning appeals and other matters referred to it.

There were an unprecedented 92,650 planning applications in 2006, and some 86,800 in 2007. These levels of activity clearly had implications for the operation of the planning system. Available data indicate that in 2007, about 64% of decisions on planning applications were made within the statutory 8 week period, further information was sought in 32% of cases, and an extension of time was agreed with the applicant in nearly 3% of cases.

The number of planning applications in 2008 fell by some 30% to about 61,000 and is expected to fall further during 2009.

As an independent planning appeals body, An Bord Pleanála has a key role in ensuring that physical developments, in particular major infrastructure projects, respect the principles of sustainable development and are planned in an efficient, fair and open manner.

Under Section 126 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, the Board 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, peaking at nearly 6,700 cases in 2007, have challenged An Bord Pleanála's ability to achieve this 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.

The Board has also assumed significant new functions under the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006. This necessitated a review of the Board's operations and significant restructuring leading to the establishment of a dedicated Strategic Infrastructure Division within the organisation.

In light of the demands imposed by its heavy caseload and these additional functions, sanction was given in 2007 for an additional 35.5 permanent staff, bring the total complement to 172. Board membership has also been increased from 10 to 11, on a temporary basis.

The Board is focused on dealing quickly with the current backlog of cases and restoring compliance with its statutory objective of determining appeals and referrals within a period of 18 weeks, and expects to make significant progress in this regard over 2009.

I am considering legislative change, in the context of the proposed Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill, to facilitate greater overall efficiency in the determination of cases by the Board.