asked the Minister for the Environment if he will give details of the full-time permanent staff employed directly by An Bord Pleanála.
244.
Written Answers. - An Bord Pleanála.
241.
asked the Minister for the Environment whether staff seconded from his Department will be transferred permanently to An Bord Pleanála.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 244 together.
An Bord Pleanála employs directly one full-time permanent staff member, its chief officer. My Department continues to supply interim staffing services to the board, as provided for in section 21 (3) of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1976, but I have, with the approval of the Minister for the Public Service, approved a separate staffing structure for the board. The making of arrangements for appointments to this staffing structure is primarily a matter for the board.
Towards this end I understand that the board have commenced discussions with representatives of the professional staff in the first instance.