To ask the Minister of the Environment to outline the criteria that will be used for selecting the 270 Planning Service staff for possible re-deployment to other positions in the Civil Service.

Subject to consultation with the Trades Union, the selection of staff to be redeployed as surplus will be based primarily on business requirements i.e. identifying the individuals most suited to the work functions remaining in the Agency, rather than identifying the individuals whose post is surplus. The personal preferences of staff will be taken into account, where possible. This will include anyone who wishes to volunteer for redeployment.

However if it is not possible to identify the individuals to remain based on business need, names may be selected randomly in a fair and transparent manner.