Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 388: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the progress report on the proposal to locate his Department to Killarney; when the building will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3232/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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My Department, with the exception of the National Archives, will be transferring to Killarney under the Government's decentralisation programme. The number of applications received under the central applications facility, CAF, for approximately 130 posts exceeds the numbers required for most of the grades. Eleven members of staff currently working in my Department have indicated that they wish to relocate to Killarney.

My officials are currently in the process of transferring staff, who have accepted an offer to relocate to Killarney, into the Department. This process will proceed on a phased basis is order to facilitate a smooth transition and appropriate training.

As the Deputy is no doubt aware, my Department was designated by the decentralisation implementation group as one of the "early mover" Departments. The construction of the new building to house the Department in Killarney is scheduled to commence in mid 2006 with an anticipated completion date in the last quarter of 2007. My officials update the central decentralisation unit in the Department of Finance on a regular basis in relation to all progress.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 389: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if office accommodation has been secured for the new offices of Enterprise Ireland in Shannon, County Clare; the cost to the taxpayer; the date that it is anticipated Enterprise Ireland will decentralise to Shannon; and his views on the level of interest by public servants in the relocation of Enterprise Ireland to Shannon. [2921/06]

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 395: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding Enterprise Ireland's decentralisation to Shannon, County Clare; the number of public servants who have expressed an interest in moving to Shannon's Enterprise Ireland headquarters; and the number of these which are currently Enterprise Ireland staff. [2920/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 389 and 395 together.

In respect of numbers, the most recent figures released show that 19 existing employees in Enterprise Ireland have indicated their willingness to transfer to Shannon. The number of applications received from within the civil and public service, including my Department, amount to 33, thus giving a total overall of 52 persons.

The most immediate implementation step for Enterprise Ireland is to provide for a new headquarters building designed to meet the business needs of the organisation. Enterprise Ireland, working closely with the Office of Public Works, OPW, has identified but not yet acquired a preferred site from the submissions received by the OPW in relation to the Shannon location. The preferred site is a 13-acre site owned by Shannon Development. In addition, and in co-operation with Shannon Development and OPW, the site was valued and a feasibility study carried out. The site occupies a prime position near the centre of Shannon and is considered suitable for a major landmark building or civic structure related to the town centre.

It is too early to comment definitively on a timescale or on the cost of the transfer of Enterprise Ireland's headquarters to Shannon. The factors of significance in this regard will be the acquisition of property and the level of interest in the Shannon location expressed by CAF applicants. My Department is corresponding with the Department of Finance regarding the acquisition of the preferred site.