Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

406. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of professional and administrative personnel, listed separately that are currently applied to the Spatial Planning Unit within his Department; if he is satisfied that adequate resources are applied to this brief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39620/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Planning Section of my Department has responsibility for spatial policy together with other planning policy matters. The Planning Section currently comprises a Principal Officer, four Assistant Principal Officers, three Higher Executive Officers, two Executive Officers, a Staff Officer and a Clerical Officer. The Planning Section is also supported by the Planning Inspectorate which currently consists of three Senior Advisers and a Planning Inspector.

Staff are deployed across my Department to deal with a range of business needs and take account of emerging priorities. Staffing levels are kept under regular review in light of business needs. I am satisfied that an appropriate level of staff is assigned to this function.