Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

That figure of 541 was the estimate for the local authority requirement only. We also have the requirement for planning staff in the Office of the Planning Regulator, An Bord Pleanála and the regional assemblies. If there are any student planners listening, there are plenty of opportunities in the future. As someone said, planning is not an exact science or formula where you know exactly what is going to come out the far end. It is our best attempt and at local authority level councillors work flat out, as Mr. Sheahan said, to represent the views of their constituents and to try to formulate plans. Essentially, planning applications that come out the far end of that represent what residents might expect of their area. There is a lot of work involved in it. I thank the witnesses for giving up their time and being with us today and I welcome those further submissions from them.