asked the Minister for the Environment if the cutbacks in recruitment within the local authorities has led to the non-replacement of planning officers and inspectors; if this action has led to an increase in illegal development; and if there is a lack of enforcement officers to respond to reports of such illegal developments.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Recruitment Cutbacks in Local Authorities.
6.
During the period from the end of 1982 to the end of 1987 there was no significant change in the total number of planners employed, according to information supplied by local authorities. Information is not available in my Department on the numbers of non-planner grades associated with planning work or ancillary staff in planning areas. During 1988 nine vacancies occurred in planning grades through the voluntary redundancy-early retirement scheme, normal retirements, etc. Three of the fillable vacancies have already been filled under the arrangements in operation whereby county and city managers may fill a limited number of vacancies in posts determined by them to be key posts.
There is no evidence available to my Department that there has been any significant increase in unauthorised development. There is no evidence that any staff shortages in local authorities have led to them being unable to take enforcement action in appropriate cases. On the basis of data supplied to my Department by local authorities in respect of 1987, the latest year for which data are available, over 1,000 enforcement actions were initiated by local authorities, representing an increase of almost one third in the number of such actions initiated in 1986.
Can the Minister reconcile for the satisfaction of the House the fact that he indicated his Department do not have information in relation to non-technical planning staff and yet at the same time he said no information was available? Can the Minister describe, either now or at a later date, the method of communication between his Department and local authorities vis-à-vis the planning departments in view of the fact that he has three Bills which will have staff resource implications for the planning departments?
As the Deputy knows, normally information flows quite easily between the local authorities and the Department so far as staffing is concerned and if there was a difficulty in that regard it is the first thing they would highlight. Some managers have placed people in key posts with a view to filling such vacancies and this has not caused any difficulties so far as the authorities are concerned, or at least they have not indicated that to us.
With regard to the 1,000 enforcement actions, it takes a while to compile that information but I do not think it is a measure of any concern.
The Minister cannot simultaneously plead ignorance and at the same time assure the House that there is no problem. He either knows or he does not know.
The total number of planners in local authorities in 1982 was 130 and 128 at the end of 1987. There has not been a big shift of any consequence.
Are they permanent, temporary or combined?
It does not say——
Question No. 7.
——but off the top of my head I would say they are permanent.
So would I.