Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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266. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will ensure that An Bord Pleanála has the necessary resources to effectively process applications for renewable energy projects; if he has carried out a capacity and demand analysis of a company (details supplied) to address any staffing needs ahead of large-scale infrastructure applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18934/22]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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An Bord Pleanála’s Workforce Plan for 2021-2022 was approved by my Department in October 2021. This Plan provided for an initial 8 additional staff for a new Marine/Climate Unit, which would include responsibility for processing offshore wind energy applications.

I understand that the Board is currently preparing a Maritime Resource Plan to identify the additional staffing needs to implement its new functions expected under the Maritime Area Planning Act. It is expected that this Maritime Resource Plan will be submitted by An Bord Pleanála to my Department for consideration in the coming weeks.