Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not wish to go over the ground covered by the Deputies regarding the LIS but I acknowledge there will be extra funding. I emphasise the quality of work that has been done by local authority staff on the ground. It is top class. More funding in that area is very important.

In a similar vein, the Minister has been more than supportive of my county through the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme. I was up Errigal Mountain with my family this summer. Thousands of people are going up that new footpath. That investment and its benefits and spin-offs for the local economy are incredible. The greenway along the old Burtonport railway, which the Minister has been on, is excellent. From my contact with council staff, I am aware the Carrigart to Downings footpath or greenway, into which the Minister put €500,000, will be going to consultation with landowners in November and, it is hoped, to tender in the first quarter of next year.

In light of all the money the Minister has announced and the commitments she has given and, no doubt, future announcements in the upcoming budget, are we adequately resourced in terms of human resources and personnel to deal with the administrative workload at local authority level and within the Department? Are further resources necessary? I have no doubt the Minister will be having these conversations with the Ministers, Deputies Michael McGrath and Donohoe, prior to the budget but, without requesting information along that line, in light of all these announcements are extra resources needed to back up the hardworking staff in the Department and local authorities?

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