Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 224: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the composition of An Bord Pleanála; when the positions are due for change; the criteria for appointment to the board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13509/11]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 232: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the length of time An Bord Pleanála is taking to process planning applications and if any mechanisms exist or could be implemented to fast-track decisions relating to schools and community facilities. [13638/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 232 together.

An Bord Pleanála has a statutory objective to determine appeals and referrals within 18 weeks. The compliance rate with the statutory objective time period for normal planning appeals stood at 82% at the end of April 2011. The board operates a priority system for planning appeals. The priority system seeks to ensure that cases relating to schools and community facilities are not subject to any avoidable delay for determination. The Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 introduced a range of measures to improve the throughput and performance of An Bord Pleanála. The performance of An Bord Pleanála also remains under ongoing review through mechanisms in place under the Croke Park agreement.

The board comprises a chairperson and up to nine ordinary members. The Minister may increase or reduce the number of ordinary members as the level of demand on the board's services requires. Appointments to the board of An Bord Pleanála are made in accordance with sections 105 to 107 of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2010 and Articles 56 to 65 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended. The current membership of the board and details of the expiry of their terms of office are outlined in the table.

Panel A is the Physical Planning, Engineering and Architecture panel, panel B is the Economic Development and Construction Industry panel, panel C is the Local Government, Trade Unions and Farming panel and panel D is the Environment and Amenities, Voluntary Bodies, Charities, Rural and Community Development, Irish Language Interest, Disabilities and Young People panel. In addition to appointments from the panel system, under section 106(1)(e) of the Act, the Minister may appoint an environmental and sustainability expert to the board. The relevant statutory requirements towards the appointment of a new Chairperson to the board are being pursued as the current Chairperson is due to retire on 12 June 2011. The post of Deputy Chairperson is filled from within the ranks of the existing board members.