I propose to take Questions Nos. 162 to 164, inclusive, together.
My Department gathers quarterly data on staff numbers in local authorities. The data gathered does not provide detail in respect of the number of full time engineers, senior engineers, full time employees and seasonal employees of Galway County Council that are engaged in the road maintenance programme in Oranmore, Athenry, Tuam, Connemara, Ballinasloe, Loughrea, Gort and Portumna. Accordingly, the information requested is not available in my Department.
Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. In this regard, it is a matter for each individual Chief Executive to recruit and assign staff to specific functional areas.