I propose to take Questions Nos. 1709 and 1710 together.
The Department of Rural and Community Development was established following the enactment of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act, 2017 on 19 July 2017.
Functions transferred to my Department include the Rural Division from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the Community Division from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, and the Charities Regulatory Authority from the Department of Justice and Equality.
We are also in the process of assessing the required needs of my Department with regards to corporate resourcing.
Negotiations are ongoing with these Departments and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to determine the final staffing compliment of my Department.
This will be finalised in due course and I will provide the deputy with a full breakdown of requested information on completion of this process.