asked the Minister for Local Government what is the present staff shortage in the planning departments of Dublin County Council and Dublin Corporation; and what plans he has to overcome these shortages of staff.
104.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Planning Staffs Shortage.
103.
asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware of the need for an increase in the planning staff of Dublin Corporation in order to ensure against the erection of structures contrary to planning legislation; and whether he has any proposals to provide sufficient staff for this purpose.
With your permission, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 104 together.
Details in relation to staff vacancies in local authorities at any particular time are not available in my Department but I am aware that difficulties have been experienced by local authorities in recruiting planning staff because of a shortage of suitably qualified persons. In order to improve the position, arrangements have been made providing for an alternative type of post with revised qualifications which can, if necessary, be filled from among people who have not the full professional qualifications in planning but who have a qualification in engineering, architecture or other relevant discipline and have suitable planning experience.
Sanction has also been conveyed to Dublin Corporation to introduce a scheme of recruitment for a new grade of trainee planner. Enforcement action under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act is a matter for the local authority in the first instance and I have no proposals from Dublin Corporation for an increase in their planning staff for this work at present.
Surely the Minister is aware of the dreadful conditions in Dublin at the moment regarding illegal structures and enforcement orders? Is the Minister seriously telling the House that Dublin Corporation have not made any application for an increase in staff for the planning department?
Yes, the information available to my Department is that no application has been received from Dublin Corporation for the sanction of additional staff to deal with enforcement orders.
According to Dublin Corporation they are short and looking for extra staff.