Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 319: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when and the way he plans to proceed with decentralisation in his Department; the way it will be implemented; the resources that will be made available; the extent to which it will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18426/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin 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. It is intended that the entire Department (excluding the National Archives which will remain in Dublin) will relocate to Killarney.

Following a tendering process, the Office of Public Works selected PJ Hegarty and Sons to develop the permanent building for the Department's headquarters in Killarney. The construction of the new building in Killarney commenced in May this year and the anticipated completion date is September 2008. Allowing for fit out the premises should be ready for occupation late in 2008.

Currently an advance group of 49 members of staff has been relocated to temporary accommodation at Fossa, Killarney. My Department is now planning to transfer a further group of 21 staff to Fossa later this month. The temporary premises is capable of accommodating up to 70 staff.

It is intended that the remainder of the staff in the Department will transfer to Killarney on the availability of the permanent accommodation.

Any resources that are required will be made available but to date my Department has managed to progress the project within existing resources.