Planning Issues

Tuesday, 5 November 2024

Questions (613)

Seán Canney

Question:

613. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way An Bord Pleanála notifies prescribed bodies of planning applications; if files are sent by soft copy or hard copy; the way the notification is recorded; if the process of notifying prescribed bodies has changed in the past; if so, the reason the change was made; if the HSA was a prescribed body for strategic infrastructure development under the regulations of the Planning and Development Act 2000; if An Bord Pleanála keeps a checklist of the prescribed bodies have been notified for strategic infrastructure developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45154/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

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.

Under Article 215 of the Planning and Development Regulations, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is a prescribed body for specific Strategic Infrastructure Developments listed in Schedule 8 in relation to 'major accidents'. The additional information requested is not held by my Department as notification of prescribed bodies in relation to planning applications is a matter for An Bord Pleanála.

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 .