andMr. Faulkner asked the Minister for Local Government the estimated numbers of staff required and the estimated total cost of operating the terms of the Local Government (Water Pollution) Bill, 1976.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pollution Bill Operating Costs.
9.
I am not in a position at this stage to indicate the staff required for operation of the Bill or the cost involved. The main control functions under the Bill will be performed by local authorities and the question of staffing needs is one for consideration by them in the first instance, having regard among other things to availability of existing staff within local authorities.
I propose, however, to initiate discussions in the near future between my Department and local authorities on the question of implementation of the Bill. As a basis for such discussions and to enable early consideration to be given to this aspect, I issued to local authorities on the 15th November, 1976, a discussion document dealing with the main activities which will be generated by the Bill if and when it is enacted. Copies of this document have been made available in the Oireachtas Library. These discussions will help to clarify the position concerning staffing needs and operating costs.
The Minister will agree that extra staff will be needed to deal with this?
Extra staff will be needed.
Will finance be provided from the Exchequer or will the local authorities have to carry the burden of the extra finance?
This is a matter which has yet to be decided.
Are there any proposals from local authorities before the Department to employ environmental officers on a regional basis or otherwise?
That is a different question, but I am not aware of any such proposals.