Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 153: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when the decentralisation of the Arts Council to Kilkenny is intended to happen. [28841/07]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when the decentralisation of the Arts Council to Kilkenny will happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28864/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 154 together.

The Arts Council, one of the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department, is designated for transfer to Kilkenny under the Government's Programme of Decentralisation. In June 2004, a Decentralisation Implementation Plan was prepared by and in respect of the Arts Council and submitted to the Decentralisation Implementation Group (DIG), which is chaired by Mr. Finbar Flood.

There are currently 45 members of staff employed in the Arts Council and a total of 29 applications for transfer to Kilkenny have so far been received under the CAF (Central Application Facility) from non Arts Council staff members. The Arts Council has not been designated an early mover by the DIG but the Office of Public Works (OPW) is currently assessing a number of options regarding suitable locations and properties in Kilkenny. No decision has been made in this regard to date.