Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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385. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the conclusions contained within An Bord Pleanála’s maritime resource plan that identifies the additional staffing needs to implement its new functions expected under the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39485/22]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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An Bord Pleanála’s Workforce Plan for 2021-2022 was approved by my Department in October 2021 and provided for 24 additional posts. This included an initial 8 staff for a new Marine/Climate Unit. Sanction was subsequently sought by An Bord Pleanála to fill 5 of these 8 Marine/Climate Unit positions, which my Department provided. The status of these 5 positions is detailed in the table below.

My Department is currently engaging with the Board in relation to their proposed 2022–2023 workforce plan. A separate staff resourcing plan for projects associated with the Maritime Area Planning Act, 2021 was received from the Board on 20 June 2022. This Plan identifies extra posts in addition to the initial Marine/Climate Unit posts already approved and will also be considered in the context of the proposed Workforce Plan 2022-2023.