Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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475. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of staff in his Department that work in communications, climate action, oil and gas exploration, regulation issues, environment and other issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9121/19]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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There are currently 413 employees working in my Department. Of that number 207 work in the areas identified by the Deputy. The following table outlines the breakdown of staff numbers by area and by full time equivalent (FTE). This staff complement has significant experience in dealing with regulation issues and developing and implementing 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 to assist it in delivering the Government’s policy objectives under the Department’s remit.

As staff in all of these areas work on regulation issues it is not possible to determine the exact number.