1943. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of staffing sanction requests submitted to his Department by each of the 31 local authorities for new or additional posts across all functional areas for the years 2024, 2025, and to date in 2026; the specific number of these requests that were approved, rejected, or are currently awaiting decision by his Department; the specific number of sanctions requested and granted for general outdoor maintenance and parks staff during this same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63581/26]

The number of staffing sanction requests for new posts submitted to my Department broken down by local authority area and by processing status for the years 2024, 2025 and 2026 (to 31 August) is detailed in the attached table. The attached table includes all staffing sanction requests for new posts received during this period, a breakdown of the functional areas to which these new posts when recruited will be assigned is not available. The assignment of staff to particular functional areas is a matter for the Chief Executive who under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001 is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible.

The recruitment and filling of posts in the local government sector is undertaken both by individual local authorities and publicjobs. Following the issuing of sanction by my Department for a new post, it is then a matter for the Chief Executive, who is responsible under Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001 for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible, to progress the appointment as appropriate. My Department does not have a recruitment role.

Table: Status of Staffing Sanctions Requests for New Posts from Local Authorities for the period 01/01/2024 to 31/08/2026