Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Following the stock response that we have given the Senator, as well as the specific issues the Senator has raised here, the Department needs to come back with a specific set of answers. The workshop that was held with local authorities was useful in teasing out these issues. A new set of challenges has come about as we emerge from the pandemic. Building costs are surging. There is another issue around contractors and their availability. Many of them are probably taking work that is easier to come by. Hence those issues that the Senator has raised. It is therefore important that our Department comes back with a specific response on that set of challenges, as well as on the permanent posts in local authorities. It is a worthwhile suggestion. We will get back to the Senator with a response from the Department.