Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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267. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there is a senior official with designated responsibility for Brexit matters in her Department; if so, the grade of the designated official; the funding allocated to the said Brexit unit; the cost to date; the anticipated cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16996/17]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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268. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of staff deployed full time in her Department in respect of Brexit; if there is a designated section or unit to deal with Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17012/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 267 and 268 together.

As I advised the House in my reply to Parliamentary Question 409 of 31st January 2017, a Working Group, chaired at Assistant Secretary level and composed of officials from across the Department was established last year to deal with Brexit issues. This Working Group is supported by the Department's EU Coordination Unit which is also responsible for managing those issues relating to Brexit that fall within my Department’s remit.

The Department also has a full time dedicated attaché assigned to Ireland's Permanent Representation in Brussels. This officer is a member of the Department’s Working Group and is also fully involved in the preparations by Ireland’s diplomatic team in Brussels.

These arrangements are being kept under review and will be enhanced if required in the coming period.