Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Nov 2000

Vol. 527 No. 1

Written Answers. - Departmental Staff.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

83 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if his attention has been drawn to the chronic shortage of staff in the lands division of his Department; if his attention has further been drawn to the financial pressure that this is putting on many land owners and the release of development land for housing; the measures he has taken since his appointment to resolve the delays in processing land parcels; the plans he has to recruit additional staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27895/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

Currently, there are no fillable vacancies in the lands division of my Department but its staffing levels are continually assessed in order to target resources to priority needs. I am conscious that the legal procedures for vesting land parcels is by its nature a complicated and precise procedure and that delays in finalising title can result in financial pressure on land owners.

In this context, a study of the residual activities of the Land Commission is currently in progress to help determine what organisational initiatives, if any, are necessary to ensure the most effective delivery of services within our resource limitations.