Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2009
213 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of regulators under the control of his Department; the function and responsibility of same; the number of staff employed, their out-turn for 2008 and budget for 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6499/09]
View answerIn line with the definition of a "regulatory body" set out in the report — Bodies in Ireland with Regulatory Powers — published by the Department of the Taoiseach in February 2007, information in respect of the regulators related to my Department is set out below.
Regulatory functions arising from my Department's mandate are also carried out by local authorities, and staffing numbers associated with the discharge of these functions are included in local authority overall staffing numbers. The costs of discharging regulatory functions by local authorities are provided for in the local authority annual revenue budgets. These totalled just over €5 billion in 2008 and are projected to total in the region of €5 billion in 2009.
In relation to the four regulatory bodies under the aegis of my Department, the table below sets out the regulatory role, staffing numbers, and 2008 funding provided by my Department to each body. These bodies are also funded in part from own resources income such as fees and, in the case of the Environmental Protection Agency, from the Environment Fund. Funding from my Department for 2009 will be finalised in the coming weeks in the context of finalisation of the 2009 estimates.
|
Name of Body |
Regulatory Role |
No. of Staff Employed |
Budget 2008 |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
An Bord Pleanála determines appeals against decisions by planning authorities on applications for permission for development of land. The Board also assesses and determines proposals for major infrastructural developments by local authorities including roads and motorways, and certain types of strategic infrastructure development proposed by other infrastructure providers. |
177.5 |
€15.098m |
|
Environmental Protection Agency |
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a wide range of functions to protect the environment. Its primary activities include: licensing, law enforcement, planning and guidance, monitoring and reporting, research and the implementation of a number of EU Directives. |
340 |
€39.257m |
|
Private Residential Tenancies Board |
The Private Residential Tenancies Board resolves disputes between landlords and tenants, operates a national tenancy registration system and provides information and policy advice on the private rented sector. |
40 |
€3,814,417 |
|
Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland |
The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland regulates by license the custody, use, manufacture, importation, transportation, distribution, exportation and disposal of radioactive substances, irradiating apparatus and other sources of ionising radiation. It also provides a radioactivity measurement and certification service and prepares codes and regulations for the safe use of ionising radiation. |
52 |
€4.676m |
