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Decentralisation Programme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2010

Wednesday, 3 February 2010

Questions (226)

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

291 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will state, in view of the decentralisation programme announced in December 2003, the properties rented or acquired as a consequence of the decentralisation programme in respect of his Department and of every State body for which it is responsible; the date of commencement of the rental or date of purchase of each property; the cost of each property purchased or the annual rental of each property rented; the number of staff transferred into each property as of 1 January of each year from the commencement of the rental or the date of the acquisition of each property in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5630/10]

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Written answers

The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism was designated for relocation to Killarney, Co. Kerry, under the Government's Decentralisation Programme. In addition, three State Agencies under the aegis of the Department — the Arts Council, Irish Sports Council and Fáilte Ireland — were designated to decentralise to Kilkenny, Killarney and Mallow respectively. The decentralisation of the State Agencies has been deferred pending a review in 2011. To date, no accommodation has been purchased or rented to facilitate the decentralisation of the three State Agencies.

With respect to the decentralisation of the Department, an advance group of 44 staff relocated to temporary accommodation at Fossa, Killarney in September 2006. An additional 25 staff members relocated to these premises in July 2007 with a further 7 staff members relocating in May and June 2008. The property costs for the temporary accommodation in Fossa were a matter for the OPW. In December 2008, the new purpose built building in Killarney was completed. To date, 79 members of staff (including two service officers who were recruited locally) have relocated to the new building. The property costs for the building in Killarney are also a matter for the OPW.

Information where available is provided in tabular form below as requested by the Deputy.

1 Jan 2007

1 Jan 2008

1 Jan 2009

1 Jan 2010

No. Staff in Fossa (Temporary Accommodation)

44

69

No. Staff in Killarney (Permanent Building)

76

78

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