I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 to 16, inclusive, together.
Firstly, I should explain that the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1976, provides that the board shall employ such and so many persons as the board from time to time thinks proper. The Minister's function in this regard is limited to approving the number and kind of such employees. An inspectorate of 19 was approved for the board in July 1981. Under the Act the terms and conditions of service of board employees is a matter for the board, subject to the approval of the Minister. Terms and conditions of service have been approved for the inspectorate. The Act also provides that, pending the appointment by the board of its own staff, interim arrangements could be made by the board for the supply by the Minister of services of staff of the Department. Pending the recruitment of its own staff by the board to fill the approved posts, staff from my Department, including 15 inspectors, are assigned to it.
The Deputy will appreciate, therefore, that the filling of inspectorate posts within the approved structure, including the four posts mentioned in the document to which the Deputy refers and of which I am aware, is a matter for the board. I am not in a position to say when the arrangements for the filling of the vacant planning inspector posts, or for any transfers, will be completed. However, discussions are continuing between the board and the inspectorate in regard to the filling of posts by transfer of staff from my Department and by open recruitment. The board have now sought applications for posts of senior planning inspector by public advertisement on the 6 June 1984.
My Department was not made aware that a dispute existed between the board and the inspectorate or that the inspectorate had instituted a "work to rule".
