Vol. 537 No. 2
295 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will introduce a trainee scheme within local authorities or provide funding to local authorities to allow them initiate trainee schemes for potential planners within their area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15979/01]
A variety of measures have been taken to date to address the difficulties currently being experienced by local authorities with regard to the recruitment of planners. The main problem is the shortage of qualified planners available for employment by the local authorities. This problem is being addressed. I have been in contact with my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, and the third level education sector with a view to identifying ways of producing more planners through the education system. As a result, from September 2000 new and expanded courses in University College Dublin and Dublin Institute of Technology Bolton Street will treble the output of graduate planners in two years time to approximately 75 planners graduating per annum.
In the interim, to meet the short-term demand, the employment of planners from abroad on fixed term contracts is being pursued. In this regard, my Department, along with a number of local authorities and An Bord Pleanála, has participated in the FÁS Jobs Ireland campaign and other recruitment initiatives over the past few months to source professional planners on a contract basis. As a result of this, 27 qualified planners have been placed on a panel from which planning positions in the local authorities and An Bord Pleanála can be filled on a contract basis. The Local Government Management Services Board is now managing this process and extending it to target other construction professionals such as engineers, architects and quantity surveyors.
I, therefore, have no plans at present to introduce a trainee scheme for planners in local authorities. Newly graduated planners without any experience are eligible for assistant planner positions in the local authorities. This grade is also open to individuals without a qualification in town planning recognised by the Local Appointments Commissioners but who have a relevant qualification, for example, in architecture, engineering, chartered surveying, environmental economics, and who have at least two years' relevant experience.
