Construction Ireland Construction Directory
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Share this page
Construction News
12/11/2018

Govt Called To Boost An Bord Pleanála Resources

Construction News Image
Fianna Fáil has called on Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy to boost the resources available to An Bord Pleanála.

The party's Housing Spokesperson, Darragh O’Brien TD, urged the Minister to act after he discovered a decline in staff in An Bord Pleanála over the past decade.

Mr O'Brien obtained and compiled data which found there has been a reduction of 10% in the number of staff since 2008.

He said: "At a time when housing is so urgently needed, facilitating development projects should be a priority but instead there are very clear signs of serious blockages in planning.

"Numerous builders have raised their concerns with me regarding undue delays in An Bord Pleanála reaching a decision on proposed new housing developments.

"The statutory body has a legal obligation to reach a decision within a set timeframe but the rate of completion within that specified time has gone from 79% to 64% in 2016 to 2017. It's now the case that the average completion time has risen by another two weeks from 15 weeks to 17 weeks.

-- Advertisement --

"As more and more decisions are being drawn out with requests for further information, these targets seem to be slipping. The end result is that it is taking exceptionally long to get a final decision on a housing proposal which in turn costs more and takes longer to build badly needed homes."

According to their latest report, An Bord Pleanála's work load has grown by 19% year on year since 2016.

Deputy O'Brien added: "During a major housing emergency, staffing in our national planning agency is still 11% below 2008 levels. It therefore appears that there is an insufficient number of staff to deal with planning decisions in a prompt manner.

"Minister Murphy has stated he is satisfied that An Bord Pleanála is sufficiently resourced yet that's at complete odds to the growing fears raised by builders that are sitting on housing projects waiting to get building.

"Effectively tackling the housing crisis requires a wide range of measures and ensuring that planning decisions are made in a timely manner is one of them."

He concluded: "I am calling on the Minister to boost the resources available to An Bord Pleanála and ensure local authorities are adequately equipped to carry out their planning duties."

(CM)

Latest Construction News

03/05/2024

Construction work has commenced on a new £9 million build at Rowandale Integrated Primary School in Moira. Funding from the Fresh Start Programme will facilitate the establishment of a new, modern primary school, with 14 classrooms and a nursery unit capable of accommodating over 340 ...
03/05/2024

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D. together with Leas Chathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Gerry McMonagle, has opened the Greencastle Harbour Breakwater. The 270-metre Breakwater aims to improve the protection of vessels in the harbour against wave ...
03/05/2024

NI Water has initiated a £3.5 million improvement programme at Newcastle Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW). Murphy Dawson Wam JV is undertaking the project, which focuses on improving the three-stage treatment process at the current facility. This will entail installing new filtration gear and a ...
03/05/2024

Bennett Construction has announced that it has achieved Practical Completion (PC) on the Tristan Square Development in Chapelizod, Dublin. The project includes the construction of 180 social and affordable apartments split in to one, two and three bed homes over three blocks. Each of the units are ...
03/05/2024

SSE Renewables and FuturEnergy Ireland have revealed that Microsoft has committed to a lengthy Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA) with the co-developers. This agreement will inject 30MW of wind energy into Ireland's power grid through the recently launched Lenalea Wind Farm, located near ...
03/05/2024

Farrans has announced that it has collected three awards, including one Gold, at the Considerate Constructor Scheme's National Awards. The CCS National Awards honour outstanding sites, organisations and people who show exceptional commitment to the Code of Considerate Practice in Community, ...
03/05/2024

County Down headquartered GRAHAM has started construction work on a new £59 million low-carbon development in Edinburgh. The Burnet Point scheme in Abbey Lane which combines student flats, build-to-rent and affordable homes is the first-ever mixed-use residential development of its kind by Unite ...
03/05/2024

Alliance's Housing spokesperson, Kellie Armstrong MLA, has welcomed the NI Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA) commitment to reduce carbon emissions in social homes and combat climate change. Housing associations are currently in the process of developing a scheme set to launch this autumn. ...
03/05/2024

Fibrus has announced that it has exceeded its 80,000 customer milestone, as it gains over 50,000 customers in just one year. The broadband provider burst on to the scene to transform the digital infrastructure of rural and regional areas of Northern Ireland and has shaken up the market due to its ...
03/05/2024

Infrastructure Minister, John O'Dowd, has announced his support for the 'No Mow May' approach to help promote biodiversity on the roadside during this month. The Department for Infrastructure oversees the maintenance of 45,000km of grass verges along the road network. In recent years, it has been ...
R & M Buckets LtdLoocube.ieBOLTSANDNUTS.IENord RoofsOne Stop Handling Ireland LtdJK Home ImprovementsORourke Well DrillingSMT Consultants LtdDaniel Keane Architectural TechnologistsShanette Sheds
Terms and Conditions
2024/05/05 19:49:08