Minister for Housing James Browne and the Department of Housing have faced criticism for failing to disclose the average waiting time for a planning decision from An Coimisiún Pleanála, reports RTE.
Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín argued it was unacceptable that Mr Browne did not have this data.
He claimed that some developers were waiting as long as a year for planning approvals, adding to the ongoing housing crisis, reports RTE.
Minister Browne has maintained that his focus is on creating a more effective planning process, not engaging in political squabbles.
Mr Tóibín recently brought up the issue with Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy after the information was omitted in a parliamentary reply, reports RTE.
In a follow-up, the Department of Housing said that apart from ensuring An Bord Pleanála has enough resources to operate and putting laws in place to set statutory deadlines for cases, the minister does not get involved in daily operations.
“Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of the Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas,” it said, reports RTE.
Minister Browne said it is wrong to imply that he or his Department are unconcerned about planning delays.
“Quite the opposite,” he said, reports RTE.
“That’s why we have taken clear, concrete steps to address the backlog at An Bord Pleanála, including additional resourcing of the organisation, establishing An Coimisiún Pleanála that will have statutory timelines for decisions with Paul Reid as chairperson. However, as Deputy Tóibín is well aware, as is standard across departments, operational details like average waiting times of independent, statutory bodies are not held by the Department but are a matter for the agencies themselves,” reports RTE.
“The Parliamentary Question was answered in line with longstanding practice, with contact details provided so the Deputy can get the precise information directly from the body responsible,” Mr Browne said, reports RTE.
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