155. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority has sufficient resources to implement the Competitive Maritime Area Consent process and future offshore wind development plans; and if he will provide a detailed breakdown of staffing and budget allocations. [56109/26]

Under the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021, recruitment of staff by the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) is subject to sanction from the Minister, as well as the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.

In respect of 2026, the MARA has a budget of €5.59m toward payroll related costs and sanction for 69 staff. Allocation of these approved staff is a matter for the MARA.

Arrangements have been put in place by MARA to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. The email provided for Oireachtas queries is oireachtas@mara.gov.ie.