Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1537. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the details of any roles of district conservation officer, regional manager and park ranger within the National Parks and Wildlife Service which have been vacant for more than a year and the reason for these prolonged vacancies.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42235/25]

Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1538. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the details of any upcoming recruitment drives to fill vacant roles of district conservation officer, regional manager and park ranger within the National Parks and Wildlife Service. [42236/25]

Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1549. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the current staffing levels for the roles of district conservation officer, regional manager and park ranger in the National Parks and Wildlife Service for the mid southern division and the duration of vacancies in any of these roles; and the details of recruitment drives for these roles, in each of the years 2022 to 2024 and to date in 2025. [42267/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1537, 1538 and 1549 together.

My Department's latest round of formal workforce planning is currently underway. The outcome of this process will determine the estimated number of vacancies in the Department including the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) across all grades, administrative, professional/technical and industrial, due to arise going forward. My Department’s workforce planning process does not focus on perceived vacancies arising from roles that may have existed in the past but rather seeks to strategically assess gaps in service delivery that can be addressed on a priority basis in light of the available resources. Staffing levels across the Department, including the NPWS, are kept under regular review in line with emerging business needs and Government policy on public sector pay and staffing, as advised by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.

Given the scale and diversity of functions and priorities, my Department does not maintain a fixed list of vacancies. According as posts are vacated, these are assessed against overall demand for resources meaning that the allocation of staffing is always directed towards the most critical areas. My Department keeps staffing matters under constant review in order to ensure that priority posts are filled in a timely manner and that resource allocations are balanced across the Department to meet key priorities as necessary.

Given the enforcement roles discharged by certain staff in the National Parks and Wildlife Service, for reasons of operational security, my Department does not provide details of staffing in the manner requested.