AQW 11530/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 08/05/2024
Answered On Date: 22/05/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, pursuant to AQW 9590/22-27, (i) what is being done to address the lack of resources to meet capacity; (ii) the reasons for the number of re-consultations; and (iii) what is being done to improve the quality of information submitted.

Answer:

Over the last few years, the Department has undertaken a range of measures to address the lack of resources to meet capacity. These include a review and update of guidance and internal procedures; temporary redeployment of additional caseworkers; and additional processes have been introduced such as the cessation of updates in order to allow staff to focus on the actual processing of consultations.

Analysis of consultations being receipted demonstrates that approximately 40% of these are re-consultations; the overriding reason for this is poor quality and incomplete documentation submitted with applications.

Officials have initiated engagement with a variety of stakeholders including specific sectoral engagements, including with agents, to improve the quality of information submitted with a consultation. In addtion, my Department is working in collaboration with the DfI cross-governmental Planning Statutory Consultee Forum which aims to drive forward continuous improvements in the planning system.