Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach's programme for Government makes over 50 distinct asks of local authorities across the country. This week, in Westmeath, our director of planning described staffing levels as the equivalent of a revolving door syndrome. At the same time, there has been a massive increase in complaints around unauthorised developments. This has the makings of an unmitigated disaster. Apparently, there are local authorities that do not have even one single planning enforcement officer. I have two questions. Which city and county councils have no full-time planning enforcement officers? Can the Taoiseach advise if the reported request from city and county councils for additional funding from Government for the hiring of 541 planning staff will be approved?

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