asked the Minister for the Environment whether An Foras Forbartha has been abolished by him as yet; if not, the staff and activities which are now associated with it; and the present source of its funding.
Written Answers. - An Foras Forbartha.
38.
The affairs of An Foras Forbartha will be wound up as soon as possible after the revised arrangements which I announced last December have been implemented. In the meantime, An Foras is continuing to provide research, advisory, laboratory and other services, on the basis of a work programme prepared in consultation with my Department. On 1 February 1988, a total of 186 staff were on the payroll but this number will be reduced significantly according as voluntary redundancy and redeployment arrangements come into effect. The institute is being funded by way of grants from my Department's Vote and by income from commissioned studies, operation of regional laboratories, and miscellaneous other projects.