asked the Minister for Finance what steps have been taken to establish departmental development units, as announced in the Third Programme: Economic and Social Development Chapter 19, Par. 20, four months ago; and whether these development units when established will, as recommended by the Investment in Education Survey Team in Par. 13.12 and 13.13 of their report in relation to the development unit in the Department of Education, each have a professional head who would ensure that the presentation of the result of the unit's professional work would remain in professional hands right up to the point at which they enter the administrative machinery of the Department.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Departmental Development Units.
37.
The establishment of development units on the lines suggested in the Third Programme is being considered by my Department, in consulation with other Departments. It is hoped that some will be in operation by the end of this year. The staffing of these units will be settled in the light of the circumstances of different Departments and the availability of suitably qualified personnel.
Would the Minister reply to the second part of my question, in which I asked whether each will have a professional head who would ensure that the presentation of the results of the units' professional work would remain in professional hands right up to the point at which they enter the administrative machinery of the Department?
I have replied to that.
Could the Minister repeat his reply?
The staffing of these units will be settled in the light of the circumstances of different Departments and the availability of suitably qualified personnel.
That does not answer in any way my question relating to the structure of the staffing rather than the staff themselves. Could the Minister state what is the Government's policy on this matter?
That reply which I have given governs the staffing of these units.
That may be, but it does not answer my question.
I am sorry about that.