Departmental Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 January 2022

Tuesday, 25 January 2022

Questions (327)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

327. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of staff employed by grade in the offshore licensing unit in his Department in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3559/22]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I refer to the reply to Question 602 of 19 January 2022 and the information provided to the Deputy regarding the range of activity and application types made under the Foreshore Act 1933 that my Department is responsible for assessing. Given the nature of the assessment process, the data relating to staffing resources available within my Department to undertake this work is not generally disaggregated by foreshore use or application type. However, information is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

I refer to the reply to Question 602 of 19 January 2022 and the information provided to the Deputy regarding the range of activity and application types made under the Foreshore Act 1933 that my Department is responsible for assessing.

Given the nature of the assessment process, the data relating to staffing resources available within my Department to undertake this work is not generally disaggregated by foreshore use or application type. Details on the number of staff appointed to work directly on the management and assessment of foreshore applications and the management of the estate generally in the years 2020 to date is set out in the table below.

It is worthwhile noting that during the period of these years, my Department was leading on the preparation of significant reform of the maritime planning system. In addition, the impact of the pandemic meant that working arrangements were dramatically changed, redeployment of many staff into areas of the civil and public service, and indeed within my Department was required to ensure that critical services could be maintained.

In 2020, my Department established a panel of independent and external specialist environmental service providers to assist in the assessment process. This input complements the work of my Department’s team of Marine Advisors and Marine License Vetting Committee (MLVC).

	Principal Officer	Assistant Principal Officer	Higher Executive Officer	Executive Officer	Clerical Officer	Marine Advisor	Total
2020	1	2	2	5	1	3	11
2021	1	4	1	7	1	3	14
2022 (to date)	1	5	6	11	3	3	26