Éamon Ó Cuív demands action on planning delays hindering housing
Éamon Ó Cuív addressed significant delays in planning decisions and linked them to the housing crisis and other public projects. He urged immediate short-term steps to clear a backlog at Board Planola and called for the swift passage and implementation of the new planning act.
Planning delays and backlog
Éamon Ó Cuív highlighted a persistent backlog of planning decisions, saying some approved projects have been with a board for over a year and a half. He described the delays as adding to the housing crisis and to problems in the provision of other facilities.
Short-term steps requested
He asked what extra short-term measures could be taken under current legislation to clear the backlog forthwith, pressing for rapid action to allow approved projects to proceed. He acknowledged that extra staff had been approved but sought further immediate remedies.
Reform and the new planning act
He noted that reform of Board Planola is ongoing and enquired when the new legislation to set up and commission the planning body would be fully operational. He urged collective effort in the House to get the new planning act passed, calling the legislation essential.
Impact on housing, transport and climate projects
Éamon Ó Cuív warned that faster planning decisions would free up many developments, potentially providing significant accommodation and progressing projects on the public realm, transport and climate policy, including wind farms. He acknowledged the minister's urgent measures to bolster Board Planola with a substantial number of new officers but said radical change is still needed.
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They say it is better to light a candle than curse the dark. We have a housing crisis and we also have a crisis in the provision of a lot of other facilities and one thing that is adding to the crisis is the phenomenal delays still in getting decisions from a board plan. I have cases that are with the board for over a year and a half. These are all projects that have been approved that could go ahead. I know extra staff was approved, but I am wondering two things. One, what extra short-term steps could be taken to clear this backlog forthwith under the present legislation? And secondly, when is it hoped that the new legislation setting up and commissioning plan will be fully operational and in place? Because we need radical change here and it would free up a lot of planning decisions that would potentially provide a lot of accommodation in the station. The Minister has taken very urgent measures to bolster the capacity and the strength on board Planola in terms of a number of new officers appointed. Quite a substantial number now have been approved for good reason. And the reform of Board Planola is ongoing and also of course the new planning act, which I think we are subject to the House in terms of getting that passed. But I think we should make a collective effort in the House to get that legislation passed, because I do believe it is essential. And there are quite a number of projects on the housing front, on the public realm in terms of transport and in terms of climate, in terms of wind farms, that we need to get progressed more quickly than currently is the position. Thank you very much. Thank you very much.
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