Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 31: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the plan for the decentralisation of his Department to County Kerry; if further sections of his Department will relocate in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19257/07]

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.