An Bord Pleanála's backlog continues with 2,400 cases to be resolved 

The OPR, which has previously said that the planning service is “chronically underfunded”, said that capacity at board level at ABP was having a “detrimental effect” on its ability to deliver on its primary function of processing planning appeals.

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 that decisions weren’t being made within their statutory timelines and the backlog began to pile up.

Previously the Irish Examiner reported that 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.

Separately, a report last month from construction consultants Mitchell McDermott said that plans for over 20,000 homes categorised as strategic housing developments (SHD) have yet to be determined by An Bord Pleanála.

Paul Mitchell, one of the report authors, said the delays are “undermining confidence and creating uncertainty around so many developments”.

The OPR said that the on-hand caseload of 3,600 was a figure “roughly equating to what has been traditionally processed over a 12-month period”.

It said: “Since the review process concluded [in 2022], arrangements have been put in place for the expansion of the complement of board members to 15.

“Over the past year, this expanded board has been making significant inroads in relation to the on-hand caseload which it is understood now represents approximately 2,400 files, with An Bord Pleanála anticipating that the figure will be reducing to standard operating levels by mid-2024.”

While it said progress had been made in some areas, further work was required with a new system for filling board vacancies essential. It is expected that the number of staff at An Bord Pleanála will exceed 300 this year.

“While the on-hand caseload has been reduced from a high of approximately 3,600 planning files to 2,400, the effective elimination of the current backlog, and the avoidance of a similar build up in the future, is critical to upholding public confidence in the efficacy of the planning process,” the OPR said.

It added that the backlog continues to be a “significant concern for the overall operation of the planning process and the stakeholders it serves”.

Separately, An Bord Pleanála said this month that the report of a scoping investigation from Lorna Lynch SC into matters related to the scandal at the planning body had been delayed again.

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.

“Due to a delay in scheduling a final interview with the last substantive witness, the completion of the Investigation Report has been delayed and is now expected to be delivered to the chairperson mid-March,” it said.