Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Perfect. I return to the issue of resources. I know it was addressed earlier. The resource management plan that the witnesses submitted to the Department in quarter 2 last year included a request for 500 staff. That is kind of to do with what they are required to do as of last year. If and when this Bill passes and is enacted, it will bring about a very significant potential expansion in plan making, etc. Did their resource assessment have full visibility of the range of things they will now be asked to do? I presume the answer is “No”. Would it be appropriate? Are they are starting to look at what additional resources are needed? As we all know, the housing and planning departments of local authorities are struggling for resources. That is not a criticism. It is a fact of life. Are we saying 500 staff are needed just to do the stuff they were asked to do midway through last year? Realistically speaking, the ask will now be much bigger if the positives in this Bill, such as plan making, will be implemented.