Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 202: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the degree to which his Department has concluded its decentralisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12097/07]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, my Department was designated under the Government's decentralisation programme as one of the "early mover" Departments. The tender process in respect of the permanent building was completed some time ago and the Office of Public Works (OPW) selected the preferred bidder, P. J. Hegarty & Sons. Planning permission has been granted. The OPW expects the developer to be on site shortly and the building is expected to be ready for occupation by mid 2008.

The total number of staff in the Department is 130. Of that number, 47 staff (including 2 new Service Officers) have now moved to temporary accommodation in Fossa, Killarney. In the summer of 2007, the Department will decentralise a further 22 posts to the temporary offices in Fossa. Units from each of the sectoral areas of Arts, Sport and Tourism have been selected for inclusion in the second phase of the advance move. The temporary accommodation is capable of accommodating up to 70 officers.

The final phase, i.e. the move to the permanent accommodation in Killarney town is now expected to take place by mid 2008.