Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 377: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the GIS planning information system being developed by him in conjunction with the National Asset Management Agency will be completed; the amount of money that has been spent on the project to date; its specific budget; the estimated total cost upon completion; the estimated running costs per annum into the future; the number of staff working on the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37601/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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My Department is currently in the process of finalising the development of a geographical information system that will integrate all the development plan zoning maps of the various statutory development plans and local area plans across the country and on an ongoing basis. The system is being developed in close consultation with the various local authorities who have responsibility for the supply of the required information to my Department's specification. The overall project has an overall budget of €150,000 of which some €82,645 has been spent to date. It is being developed by three staff in the Planning and Housing Division of my Department and is scheduled for completion by the end of this year.

I anticipate that when complete the system will be used by NAMA in co-ordinating its information on the location of lands and buildings associated with loans held by the agency and by other agencies including, inter alia, the National Transport Authority. I do not have specific details as yet regarding the ongoing operational costs but it is envisaged that the agencies using the system will contribute to the costs associated with its ongoing operation and further development.