asked the Minister for the Environment if, in relation to the Environmental Research Unit established in his Department following the abolition of An Foras Forbartha, he will give the following information: (a) the number of qualified professional planners employed by the unit, (b) the number of qualified environmentalists employed by the unit, (c) the number of qualified engineering specialists in the areas of water control and water management systems and (d) the number of qualified engineering specialists in road design and construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Environmental Research Unit.
46.
The approved staff structure of the ERU provides for 44 professional and 18 technician posts, a number of which are in the course of being filled. At present, the position regarding the numbers employed under the various headings is as follows: (a) three; (b) there is no specific academic qualification of environmentalist, but almost all the professional and technical staff of the ERU would have some expertise in this area; (c) seven. This does not include two technically qualified staff or a professional who is not an engineer; and (d) 15.