Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 395: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the assessment of the financial implications of decentralisation which have been carried out and, in particular, if the financial implications of the cost of training and additional staff during the on-the-job training in period; the cost of new recruitment to meet gaps in suitable applicants for the decentralised location; the cost of additional promotions to fill the positions required; if the cost of delays in redeploying staff which opt not to move with their post and cost of retraining and redeployment have been identified in respect of the proposed moves (details supplied). [32601/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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The main costs of the decentralisation of my Department will be those relating to the acquisition of the site in Killarney and the construction of the new building. These costs will be borne and monitored by the OPW. I understand that such costs are likely to be offset by the disposal of property in Dublin.

My Department has an ongoing training programme for all staff for which a budget is provided on an annual basis. As it is proposed to transfer staff wishing to decentralise to Killarney into the Department on a phased basis, it is expected that their training needs will be met from within our existing and future budgets.

As all grades except the principal officer grade are oversubscribed for Killarney, it is not expected that new recruitment will be necessary below that level. My Department may need to take a small number of principal officers from the interdepartmental panel to meet any ultimate shortfall in numbers at this grade level. It is not possible at this stage to assess what, if any, delays in redeployment of staff of my Department who have not opted to transfer to Killarney will occur. My Department's decentralisation plan is consistently being refined and updated and in this context all elements, including likely costs, are being kept under review.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 396: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the audit committee of his Department or its agencies have reviewed the risk management assessment of the proposed decentralisation proposals (details supplied); if it has approved the assessment or made any recommendations for revising the risk assessment or changing the proposed risk mitigation strategies. [32609/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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The mandate being operated by the audit committee of my Department includes the consideration of how risk management is integrated into the Department's business process. My Department's decentralisation implementation plan includes an associated risk analysis. As the plan is being refined and updated on an ongoing basis, the audit committee has not considered it to date. However, it is proposed to place it on its agenda early in 2006.

In the case of the agencies under the aegis of my Department, I have asked them recently to update their decentralisation implementation plans. When this exercise is completed, they will in due course have their plans considered by their respective audit committees.