An Bord Pleanála’s backlog

Sir, – Olivia Kelly reports that a decision-making backlog in An Bord Pleanála is delaying the construction of more than 22,000 homes (News, November 27th). Applications made under the Strategic Housing Development (SHD) system are waiting an average of 79 weeks (a little over 18 months or one and a half years) for determination by the board. Just before breaking down in tears, I read that the SHD system is designed to fast-track the development of homes.

But the cavalry is coming. The ABP board has advised the Minister for Housing that it now has the capacity to hold board meetings “in both the morning and evening” to progress decision-making on housing.

The Minister won’t need me to tell him that having the capacity to hold meetings and actually doing so may not be the same thing.

But meetings in both the morning and the evening – fancy that! If we ever have a housing emergency, they’ll surely be at it morning, noon and night. – Yours, etc,