Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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1576. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is a senior official with designated responsibility for Brexit matters in his Department; if so, the grade of the designated official, the funding allocated to the Brexit unit, the cost to date and the anticipated cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37999/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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While all relevant areas of the Department are actively engaged in Brexit related work and consultations with stakeholders, overall responsibility for the preparation and coordination of the Department's response to Brexit has been assigned to the Head of Function of the Policy, Governance and EU Division.

Brexit issues relating to Tourism are managed by the Head of Function of the Tourism Marketing Policy and Impact Assessment Division. Both Heads of Functions are at Principal Officer level.

The additional cost to the Policy, Governance and EU Division arising from Brexit activities, outside of staff costs, was estimated to be €50,000 in 2017, of which some €10,000 has been incurred to date. The need for additional funding will be kept under ongoing review.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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1577. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of staff deployed full time in his Department in respect of Brexit; if there is a designated section or unit to deal with Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38015/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Brexit has the potential to have serious adverse economic transport and tourism impacts and as a result has been identified as the main strategic risk facing the Department. 

The Department in response has organised itself internally and while all relevant areas of the Department are actively engaged in Brexit-related work and consultation with stakeholders, overall responsibility for the preparation and coordination of its response to Brexit has been assigned to the Head of Function in the Policy, Governance and EU Division.

Brexit issues relating to Tourism are managed by the Head of Function of the Tourism Marketing Policy and Impact Assessment Division. Both Heads of Function are Principal Officers. 

The support teams who deal with Brexit issues in addition to other duties are 3 staff in the Policy, Governance and EU Division and 3 staff on the tourism side.

The Management Board has, and will continue, to keep under review the Department's internal organisation and structures for Brexit to ensure that they remain robust in addressing the evolving Brexit situation.