Vol. 559 No. 6
107 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the location and responsibility of each of the members of the regional inspectorate of his Department's lands division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26948/02]
108 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of staff in the regional inspectorate of the lands division of his Department on 1 January 2002; the number of staff in the inspectorate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26949/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 108 together.
Prior to the establishment of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs earlier this year, there were ten members of the agricultural inspectorate attached to the rural development-lands division of my Department. The responsibilities of these officers included Leader and other rural development schemes as well as lands work.
Following the assignment of functions, eight of the ten inspectors were transferred to deal with Leader and the various rural development schemes. Some of the officers concerned continue to assist in certain aspects of the lands work. One officer was retained in my Department to deal exclusively with lands work and another was assigned on promotion to other inspectorate duties. Other regionally based agricultural inspectorate staff are being identified who will undertake lands related work as required and the new arrangements will be formalised in the New Year.
