Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 626: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of professional planners employed here; his views on whether there is a sufficient number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5375/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The 2004 annual returns from planning authorities indicated that 470 full-time planners, 244 other professional staff and 265 part-time technical staff were employed in planning authorities. Annual returns for 2005 will be forwarded to my Department shortly. I am happy that this level of staff, which has substantially increased over the last ten years, is sufficient to sustain the existing high level of productivity within the planning service.