Written answers

Tuesday, 14 May 2013

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Planning Issues

Photo of Andrew DoyleAndrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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438. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the length of time it is currently taking An Bord Pleanála to hear appeals; the measures he has taken to alleviate this backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22516/13]

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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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 55% as of April 2013 and the average time taken was 21.8 weeks. To take account of the backlog of cases that had built up in the Board, I appointed 2 additional temporary Board Members for a 12 month period. This is already beginning to impact on the throughput of cases with the number of cases disposed of in April up by 113% over the same month in 2012.

Photo of Andrew DoyleAndrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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439. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the role of the newly announced Planning Regulator; if there will be a clear and transparent method of appointment; if he intends to publicly advertise for the position to be appointed by him; the salary the position will command; the term length of the appointment; the frequency with which a person may be re-appointed to the position; if he envisages any further delay in An Bord Pleanála applications as a result of a secondment of staff to support the new Planning Regulator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22526/13]

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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In line with the recommendation contained in the Final Report of the Mahon Tribunal, the Government approved proposals for the preparation of a new Planning and Development Bill at its meeting on 7 May 2013 to establish a new Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR).The primary function of the OPR, which will be established as an independent corporate identity, will be to carry out independent appraisal of regional and local level statutory plans prepared and adopted under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, namely, development plans, local area plans, regional planning guidelines etc.  The OPR will also be mandated to carry out the research, training and education roles identified by the Mahon Tribunal.  The Planning Regulator will advise the Minister on the content of the plans and where appropriate provide advice that all or part of a plan should be amended or rejected (through a Ministerial Direction) and the advice of the OPR will be published.  The OPR will also have investigative powers to examine, inter alia , possible systemic failings in the planning system, again taking account of the recommendation of the Mahon Tribunal in this regard.

While it is envisaged that the OPR would be staffed and resourced, in so far as possible, by staff taken on secondment or on a permanent basis from An Bord Pleanála, it will remain a priority for the Bord to fulfil its statutory functions.On foot of the Government approved proposals, my Department will now prepare a General Scheme of a new Planning and Development Bill giving consideration to the detailed issues to be addressed including those raised in the question.

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