Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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An Bord Pleanála (the Board) is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and certain other Acts.

Thetotal number of Board members currently serving in An Bord Pleanála is 14, with a further temporary appointment to be made in the coming weeks to bring the Board to full strength of 15, the maximum now provided for under the legislation.

Arrangements are being put in place for the new recruitment process for full-term board members and work is underway to commence the competition for the recruitment of a full-term Chairperson of An Bord Pleanála.

There are now more people working at An Bord Pleanála than at any time previously. Since October 2021, my Department has agreed to 117 new staffing posts in the Board, as detailed below.

• In October 2021, my Department approved an additional 24 posts across a range of technical and administrative grades including the setting up of a new Marine and Climate Unit.
• In December 2022, 34 additional posts were sanctioned, and the Board is in the process of filling these positions.
• In April 2023, the Board submitted a request for sanction to my Department for a total of 59 new posts, all of which were approved.

Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála in this regard is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.

My Department obtained the information requested from An Bord Pleanála who have advised that, as of 30 June 2023, 221 people are working in the Board, (including Board Members).