Madam, - Frank McDonald (The Irish Times, August 27th) reports that many planning jobs remain vacant because of the Government embargo on hiring. The costly consequences of poor planning decisions are endured daily by the Irish public - not only in the vast expense of the tribunal of inquiry into planning matters but also in terms of environmental damage, the lack of affordable housing, and traffic congestion. These are not just problems of the past; addressing them is a challenge for the future.
UCD has responded to this challenge by expanding its professional planning degree programme and we remain committed to providing a stream of highly educated planning graduates. We are also expanding our research programme to provide the information base required to make better planning decisions.
It is essential that local and national government continue to fill planning posts so that decisions are made in the best interests of society. While this may be a time for greater fiscal prudence, poor planning is something we cannot afford. - Yours, etc.,
PETER CLINCH,
Professor of Regional
and Urban Planning,
UCD,
Dublin 4.