Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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636. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will report on workforce planning in An Coimisiúin; the additional resources which are planned in order to accelerate decisions on renewable energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55352/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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An Coimisiún Pleanála (the Commission) 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 2024, as amended, and certain other Acts.

There are now more people working at the Commission than at any time previously. Since October 2021, my Department has agreed to 117 new staffing posts in the Commission. The Commission has advised that as of 30 September 2025 there were 288 individuals working in the Board including Planning Commissioners. The Commission received approval and sanction from my Department for a total of 313 posts to date.

The Planning and Development Act 2024 includes a number of new provisions relating to An Coimisiún Pleanála, as part of a significant restructure. The Act will introduce statutory time periods for decision making for all consent processes, including, for the first time, for An Coimisiún Pleanála. This will bring increased certainty to the planning consent processes, for both the public and stakeholders involved in the delivery of key infrastructure such as housing and renewable energy.

In 2024, decisions were issued in respect of a total of 24 wind farms and approximately 140 wind turbines were granted. 18 solar farms were also approved. Statutory timelines for Commission decisions in respect of infrastructure and other applications which are required to be submitted directly to the Commission will be introduced upon commencement of Part 4 of the Planning and Development Act 2024.

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 Coimisiún Pleanála in this regard is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.