Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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123. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to detail the measures being taken to ensure that the planning system can process applications related to vital energy infrastructure in a timely manner. [30065/24]

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.

In order to ensure the continued outturn of cases within the Board, my Department has provided additional resourcing in the form of increased staffing, an increased number of Board members and an increase in funding allocation to assist the Board in carrying out its functions effectively.

Since October 2021, the Department has agreed to 117 new staffing posts in An Bord Pleanála. As of 31 May 2024, 267 people are working in ABP (including Board Members). It is intended that when all the approved posts are filled, over 300 people will be employed by the Board. This will represent an increase in the overall agreed staffing at An Bord Pleanála to in excess of 50% since 2021.

The recruitment process for the appointment of a full-term Chairperson has been completed and in January the Government appointed Mr. Peter Mullan for a 7-year term. The recruitment process for full-term board members has recently concluded and it is expected that appointments will be made shortly.

The Board has received an Exchequer allocation of €33.9 million for 2024, which is an increase of €6.5million, including €1.5million of capital allocation, on the 2023 allocation. This increased allocation will enable sanctioned staffing levels to increase to more than 300 people and 15 decision-making board members to be maintained

The Planning and Development Bill 2023 provides for the introduction of statutory mandatory timelines for all consent processes, including appeals and consent applications made to An Bord Pleanála. Timelines for the Board will be introduced on a phased basis, starting with those for Strategic Infrastructure Developments (including energy and transport projects).

The Bill also outlines the proposed new structure for the Board. The new Bill contains a number of provisions reflecting this new organisational structure and will clearly outline the separate roles of:

• Planning Commissioners - who will be responsible for all decision making regarding appeals and applications made and they will be overseen by a newly created position of Chief Planning Commissioner.
• The Governing Board - which will be responsible for the governance and organisation.
• Corporate Spine – will provide support to all of the organisations and functions will be overseen by a Chief Executive Officer.