Written Answers To Questions: Friday 25 November 2011
Written Answers To Questions: Friday 25 November 2011
Written Answers To Questions: Friday 25 November 2011
These posts have been supported over most of the last five years by an Archaeological Support Contract. However due to budget difficulties in 2011/12 the support contract ended in May 2011 and was not replaced at that time. This combination of in-house and contracted staff had been sufficient to meet the Departments prioritised responsibilities in archaeological matters. A new contract has recently been awarded that focuses on planning-related archaeological work. Approximately eight people are involved in delivering this service through a private company, of whom seven are archaeologists. In the intervening period the Agency was not able to meet its target for responding to Planning consultations. The new arrangement is expected to resolve this. The contract will be kept under review by NIEA.