An Bord Pleanála has said it is not yet seeing a major boost in the economy - because it has not seen an increase in planning appeals.

The agency says the number of cases in 2014 was virtually unchanged compared to 2013 - a figure it described as "low and static".

In its annual report, it says there is still a low level of activity in the construction and development sectors.

It says that while there are reports of an upturn in the economy, the usual increase in planning appeals going to An Bord Pleanála has yet to materialise.

In July, the Environment Minister Alan Kelly announced an organisational review of An Bord Pleanála. A report and recommendations are expected to be submitted to the Minister by the end of the year.