The Compliance and Enforcement Directorate within the Planning Authority has invested in new technological tools to further assist its officers in their enforcement duties. New communication equipment and live on-site information devices were procured in addition to a specialised drone to gather baseline data and access remote areas, the PA said.

The gathered data is be used for 3D imaging, volumetric calculations and better direct action planning. Following intense training delivered by an Irish aviation expert on the theoretical and air safety aspects of drone flying, the Authority has started to deploy the drone in particular enforcement cases.  

Last year, the authority carried out 49 direct actions, 22 of which were carried out on sites within the development zones and a further 27 on sites outside the development zone (ODZ). These direct actions have cost the Authority over €110,000. These expenses will be recovered from the contravenors themselves. An additional 67 cases were closed off after the contravenors agreed to remove the illegal developments themselves just prior to the Authority moving in.

In 2017, the authority issued a total of 315 enforcement notices, 192 on sites located within the  development zones and 123 on Outside Development Zone sites.