An Bord Pleanála says backlog a result of 'significant turnover of personnel at board level'

An Bord Pleanála said it would change how it prioritises cases going forward 'and will therefore not deal with cases in chronological order'.

An Bord Pleanála has issued yet another apology for its lengthy backlog and failure to determine cases on time, as it vowed to change how it prioritises cases going forward.

After a tumultuous few years at the planning body, the departure of a number of senior staff has resulted in delays to many planning decisions, resulting in the final decision being delayed in thousands of cases.

In a new statement, An Bord Pleanála said there had been a “significant turnover of personnel at board level” in the organisation in recent months.

Recruitment has been a thorn in An Bord Pleanála’s side in recent months, with the Irish Examiner revealing last October that just over half of the jobs sanctioned by the Department of Housing since the previous December had been filled.

“This has resulted in restricted capacity at board level and a consequent backlog of cases for determination,” it said.

“Fifteen board members have now been appointed and recruitment of additional resources is progressing. This will provide the necessary capacity to address current delays in determining cases over time.” 

An Bord Pleanála said it had “different types of cases” before it for determination. This includes housing developments still outstanding.

It said: “The board will be applying different prioritisation to those cases and will therefore not deal with cases in chronological order. The board has decided that this is the best way to manage its backlog in the most effective way possible.” 

Repeating an apology it has issued several times, the chair also apologised on behalf of An Bord Pleanála and said it would work “as expeditiously as possible” to fully clear the backlog.

Clearing that backlog would close a chapter on a long-running saga of delays at the planning body, stretching back several years.

In 2022, numerous planning issues that gave rise to serious questions about processes and decision-making within the board came to light and were the subject of media attention.

Following the high-profile departure of board members including deputy chairman Paul Hyde after a slew of scandals, there was a shortfall on the board, meaning decisions were not being made within their statutory timelines and the backlog began to pile up.

A recent report from the Office of the Planning Regulator said An Bord Pleanála was making “significant inroads” in reducing its backlog. However, from a high of 3,600 cases, that figure was still about 2,400, the regulator said.

Previously, it emerged the backlog caused by the scandals at An Bord Pleanála would automatically render planning applications for thousands of homes invalid as they had been lodged under an older system.

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Separately, An Bord Pleanála said this month a draft report of a scoping investigation from Lorna Lynch SC into matters related to the scandal at the planning body was expected to be issued to relevant parties last week.

Each of the relevant parties were given two weeks to respond, before Ms Lynch furnishes the An Bord Pleanála chairperson with the final report in the week commencing 8 April, 2024.

Depending on the contents of the report, it could be referred on to the housing minister or result in the initiation of disciplinary proceedings at the organisation. The terms of reference said the report could also be referred onto "any other statutory authority".