Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Recognising the need for increased capacity and expertise in the public sector planning services, in addition to the staffing needs of relevant agencies, organisations as well as in the private sector, analysis is being undertaken with a view to developing a Ministerial Action Plan on Planning Resources incorporating a specified set of actions to respond to the capacity challenges faced.

My Department is currently working on preparing the draft Action Plan which will have a particular emphasis on the requirements of the local government sector and the public sector generally, and will be aimed at ensuring that there is a sustainable pipeline of planning and related expertise to address resourcing needs over the short, medium and longer-term.

A Steering Group is currently being established, led by my Department, for the purposes of co-ordination and oversight of the Ministerial Action Plan that will include representation from the local government sector, An Bord Pleanála and the Office of the Planning Regulator. It is intended that the Steering Group will have its first meeting in the coming weeks.

Subject to the work of the Steering Group, my Department will seek to finalise the draft Action Plan for subsequent implementation as a matter of priority.