Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

68. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of staff employed in his Department with expertise in climate change. [51837/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department currently has a total of 69 staff assigned to climate and energy policy functions, across eight separate divisions. This staff complement has significant experience in developing and implementing climate and energy policy at international, EU, national, regional and local levels.

In addition to its own staff, the Department also has access to scientific and technical advice in agencies under its aegis namely the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to assist it in delivering on Government climate policy objectives.

The Department and its agencies also have access to external specialist resources where required.