Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the full extent of his Department's decentralisation programme to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5929/07]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, my Department was designated by the Decentralisation Implementation Group as one of the "early mover" Departments. The tender process for the permanent building was completed some time ago and OPW selected the preferred bidder — PJ Hegarty & Sons. Planning permission has been granted. I am advised by OPW that construction of the new building is expected to commence shortly and the anticipated completion date is early to mid 2008.

In the meantime, an advance group of 44 staff relocated to temporary accommodation at Fossa, Killarney in September 2006. To date, a total of 55 staff have transferred in to the Department in order to decentralise to Killarney and my Department is now planning to transfer a further 25 staff to Fossa during the summer. The temporary premises are capable of accommodating up to 70 staff.