Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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623. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of housing units currently delayed at the planning stage across local authorities; the average processing time for applications and appeals; and the actions planned within the next 12 months to reduce these timelines. [63886/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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627. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the average time taken for a housing appeal to be decided by An Bord Pleanála in 2023 and 2024; and whether statutory timelines will be introduced or strengthened to support housing delivery. [63893/25]

John Cummins (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 623 and 627 together.

The information requested is not held by my Department.

An Coimisiún Pleanála 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.

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.

For Coimisiún processes, timelines are being introduced for appeals as well as the various consents applications made directly to the Coimisiún.

It is important to acknowledge that a certain percentage of cases, due to particular circumstances, such as complexity, requests for further information from applicants for permission or further submissions from other participants including third parties, will not meet the 18 week target.

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.