The Spatial Planning Directorate is responsible for spatial management at the national and municipal levels, as well as construction, housing and real estate transactions. The Public Services and Investment Directorate is responsible for the preparation and management of environmental investments for which public funding is provided, co-ordination of the Ministry’s relations with public environmental protection services, and management of public procurement procedures. It issues environmental permits, monitors environmental pollution, and ensures the quality of public environmental data. The ARSO has approximately 400 staff at its headquarters and in 27 local offices.