I propose to take Questions Nos. 652 and 653 together.
Conservation Rangers, District Conservation Officers and Regional Managers are deployed through a regional structure, and assignments are determined in light of Departmental business needs and priorities. Given the enforcement roles discharged by certain staff in the NPWS, for reasons of operational security, my Department does not provide details of staffing in the manner requested.
There are 110 Conservation Rangers stationed around the country at present and it is my intention to further increase this number up to 121. I am pleased to say that my Department is liaising with the publicjobs to run another Conservation Ranger recruitment campaign. In addition, my Department is currently running internal promotion competitions for District Conservation Officers and Regional Managers. Any appointments across the country made from these competitions, will take account of both the business needs and financial resources to meet pay costs.
Staffing levels across my Department are kept under regular review in line with emerging business needs and Government policy on public sector pay and staffing as advised by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
