Forestry Sector

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 May 2021

Tuesday, 25 May 2021

Questions (535)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

535. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 964 of 11 May 2021, the exact number of direct ecologists working with the Forest Service on a full-time basis; the person or body that employs the 12 other full-time ecologists that are not assigned civil service grades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27547/21]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

There are nine full time ecologists working as permanent employees with the Forestry Inspectorate. The other ecologists working for the Department on forestry files work for Fehily Timoney, Environmental Facilitation Ltd while other ecologists working part time on files are predominantly sole traders.