Survey shows 'serious' lack of planners in Ireland

Results of a new survey released today have shown that there is a serious lack of planners in Ireland.

The study - the first in 10 years in this area - shows that there are 1,000 professionals working in planning across the country.

Of these, only 25% work in local government, and the lack of such personnel has led to huge backlogs on planning permission applications.

President of the Irish Planning Institute, Henk Van Der Kemp, said the recent housing boom has meant planners cannot keep up with demand and many more are needed.