Deputy Chief Planning Commissioner, An Coimisiún Pleanála

Vacancy ID

828

Department/Authority

An Coimisiún Pleanála 

Department/Authority Website

https://www.pleanala.ie

Advertising Date

30/01/2026
 

County

Dublin 

Location

Dublin

Closing Date for Application

19/02/2026, 15:00
 

Grade

Deputy Commissioner 

Contract

Fixed Term 

Type of role

Public Sector

Job summary

The position of Deputy Chief Planning Commissioner is a full-time executive appointment for a 5-year term of office. The person appointed as Deputy Chief Planning Commissioner will report directly to the Chief Planning Commissioner. They will be responsible for overseeing and directing the day-to-day performance of the Planning Commissioners to ensure they deliver robust, legally sound high-quality timely decisions on all case work i.e. planning appeals, direct applications and other case types in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area in question.   

Main Duties of the Job

The Deputy Chief Planning Commissioner will act collegiately with the Chief Planning Commissioner and Planning Commissioners to:

• decide cases before An Coimisiún Pleanála which acts as final arbiter on planning appeals, major infrastructure projects, referrals, local authority developments and other cases in an impartial, efficient, fair and open manner.

• contribute to ensuring that An Coimisiún Pleanála plays its part as an independent body in ensuring that physical development and major infrastructure projects in Ireland respect the principles of proper planning and sustainable development.

The ideal candidate will:

• be able to demonstrate high levels of professional and personal integrity, imbued with a progressive public sector ethos;
• have a proven record of achievement at senior level in the private or public sector that demonstrates the necessary vision, leadership and management skills, as well as personal resilience;
• be capable of thinking and acting strategically;
• have excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• have a proven capacity to perform effectively under pressure and timelines;

Essential Criteria:

Applicants will be expected to demonstrate that they possess the significant leadership capabilities, experience and strong public sector values necessary to discharge the role of Deputy Chief Planning Commissioner. They will also be expected to have a good knowledge and appreciation of the principles of good planning and sustainable development, environmental protection and the European and national planning policy context and legislative framework within which An Coimisiún Pleanála operates.

In accordance with section 506 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 the ideal candidate for the position should have satisfactory experience of, or a satisfactory mix of experience and knowledge of, one or more than one of the following:

• infrastructure delivery;
• housing;
• physical planning;
• sustainable development;
• architecture;
• heritage;
• community affairs;
• social affairs;
• planning;
• the environment;
• the marine;
• climate change;
• law and corporate governance.

                        Full Details can be found in the information booklet

Information about the organisation

An Coimisiún Pleanála plays a critical role in the Irish planning system and has a quasi-judicial role in deciding appeals of planning decisions made by local authorities, direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other categories of development. Its mandate is to provide robust planning decisions in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area within specified/mandatory timelines whilst having regard to the principles of transparency, impartiality and independence. 

Selection Process Details

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 3pm on Thursday 19th February 2026.

If you feel you would benefit from a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact Eimear O’Connor at  eimear.oconnor@publicjobs.ie

We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.