To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many full-time equivalent members of staff in (a) his Department and (b) its associated public bodies are working on projects related to the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics Games; how many of those are working on (i) project management, (ii) legacy planning, (iii) project oversight and (iv) financial oversight; and what plans he has for future staffing levels in each case. (221867)

The information is as follows.

Figures include both civil servants, consultancy support and secondees.

In addition, a further full-time member of staff is currently being recruited to support 2012 legacy work. This member of staff would represent-0.2 FTE on project management and 0.8 FTE on legacy planning.

Furthermore, the Department has also assigned an envelope of funding to each of the nine regions for the comprehensive spending review period. In 2008-09 each Regional Public Health Group (RPHG) will receive £100,000 for physical activity. This will be used as each region sees best, to put in place action plans working with partner organisations and stakeholders, though each RPHG has been tasked by the Department to develop a regional 2012 Health Legacy Action Plan that complements the national Legacy Action Plan to deliver a 2012 health legacy. It is likely that a proportion of this funding will be used to secure additional capacity to take forward programmes.

Our future staffing needs are currently being reviewed. The number of staff working on projects related to London 2012 is likely to increase over time.

At present, there are no plans for any increase on current staff levels in relation to the 2012 Olympics at the Health Protection Agency. However, over the next four years some increase might be necessary.