663. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of requests for permission to employ additional staff his Department received from Dublin City Council since 1 January 2015, by job title; the number approved, pending and refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36491/15]

My Department works closely with Dublin City Council in relation to the Council’s overall staffing requirements. However, under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, it is the Chief Executive of the Council who is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority.

Since 1 January 2015, my Department has received 264 staff sanction requests from Dublin City Council, of which 209 posts have been approved, and 55 posts are pending. The status of these requests is set out in the following table. Posts marked pending are, in general, awaiting supporting information prior to an informed decision being taken.