Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 July 2025
515. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average waiting time to get a decision from An Bord Pleanála in each of the years 2021 to 2024 and to date in 2025; the single longest time an application had to wait for approval in each of the years; his views on whether these delays are acceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37272/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is not held by my Department
An Coimisiún 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 2024, the Planning and Development Act 2000, 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. Part 4 of the Act will introduce statutory time periods for decision making for all consent processes when commenced later this year, including, for the first time, for the Board/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 statutory targets.
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
