Written answers

Thursday, 13 December 2007

Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism

Decentralisation Programme

5:00 pm

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 143: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of posts that have been decentralised as part of the current decentralisation programme with respect to his Department and agencies; the cost of mileage and overtime paid with respect to the holders of these posts in the year prior to decentralisation and the year after decentralisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34712/07]

Photo of Séamus BrennanSéamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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To date my Department has transferred 70 posts to temporary accommodation in Fossa Killarney. The transfers took place in two tranches with 45 posts transferring in September 2006 and a further 25 in July 2007.

It is not possible to make direct comparisons in relation to mileage and overtime costs between the holders of the posts in question, prior to decentralisation and afterwords, as a number of these posts have been reconfigured to allow for effective management of the process.

However it is estimated that between October 2006 and October 2007 my Department's mileage costs increased by €15,000 due mainly to decentralisation. Overtime costs in the same period are estimated to have increased by € 14,000 due to decentralisation.

As the state agencies under the aegis of my Department namely Fáilte Ireland, The Sports Council, and the Arts Council have not been given early mover status by the DIG (Decentralisation Implementation Group) no timeframe has been given for their decentralisation. Therefore no transfers have taken place to date. The Office of Public Works (OPW) is currently assessing a number of options regarding suitable locations and properties for these agencies.

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