Increased resources are to be made available to An Bord Pleanála(ABP).
The matter was raised in the Dáil yesterday by Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath with a particular focus on the delay in a decision on the Tipperary Racecourse proposal.
The project represents an investment of upwards of €40M to create an all-weather racetrack at the Tipperary racecourse near Limerick Junction according to Deputy McGrath which is now delayed due to the slow turnaround times at An Bord Pleanála.
The development would see the Tipperary Racecourse become only the second such all-weather facility in Ireland with an increase in the number of race meetings and horse schooling revenue at the venue.
The planning approval granted by Tipperary County Council in August 2022 was subsequently appealed by one party to An Bord Pleanála in September 2022.
Deputy McGrath says the delay of over a year in a decision is unacceptable.
Minister Michael McGrath in acknowledging that the delay is unsatisfactory informed the Dáil that extra staff are constantly being sanctioned and hired for the Board.
34 additional staff were approved in 2022 and a further 59 staff to be hired this year. As of the end of October 249 people are now working at APB, a 50% increase compared to 2021.
