60pc of planning targets not met

AN BORD Pleanála (ABP) is meeting its 18-week target for deciding on planning appeals in just 40pc of cases.

Chairman of the Bord Dave Walsh told TDs and senators a new IT system and increased caseload have contributed to the issue, but it has begun to “get to grips with the backlog”.

He said: “A 40pc rate is not where we want to be.”

He said ABP has a plan to clear the backlog during the first half of 2019 and achieve an 80pc-plus compliance rate with its target by the end of the year.

Fianna Fáil Senator Jennifer Murnane O’Connor said delays are “unacceptable” in a housing crisis.