I propose to take Questions Nos. 436 to 438, inclusive, together.
Ballymun Regeneration Limited (BRL) is a company limited by guarantee, and not having a share capital, established by Dublin City Council under the Companies' Acts. It was incorporated in June 1997 and is wholly owned by Dublin City Council. BRL's principal objects are, inter alia, to prepare plans for the redevelopment and regeneration of Ballymun and to act as developer/contractor for the regeneration project.
In this context, BRL acts as a disclosed agent for Dublin City Council in carrying out its brief in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of its incorporation. Dublin City Council formally appointed BRL in 1997 as agent for the achievement of the redevelopment and regeneration of the Ballymun area. In accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association, all contracts, including services and works contracts procured by BRL, are in the name of the company.
BRL is staffed in a number of different ways including through secondment of staff from Dublin City Council and secondments from other local authorities. These secondees remain permanent and pensionable employees of their respective local authorities. The company also recruited a number of fixed-term contract staff directly through open competition. It is a matter for BRL to determine the numbers, duration and terms of individual contracts having regard to work demands and the particular skill-sets required to plan and deliver individual projects.
Ballymun regeneration is now moving into the completion phase and all demolition and construction projects are expected to be substantially completed by 2014. In light of this, it is expected that staff numbers will decline in line with the decrease in the overall level of planning and construction activity in Ballymun.