Vol. 276 No. 13
I move :
That a sum not exceeding £113,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the period commencing on the 1st day of April, 1974, and ending on the 31st day of December, 1974, for a grant (grant-in-aid) to An Chomhairle Ealaíon.
Will the Minister state if arrangements have yet been made to co-ordinate the payment of the various sums paid by the State by way of assistance to the Arts under An Chomhairle Ealaíon? I understood this was the expressed intention.
Certainly it is the intention but, as the Deputy will appreciate, the co-operation of An Chomhairle and a number of other agencies has to be worked out. I am endeavouring actively to promote this but there have been a number of arrangements directly under the auspices of the Minister for Finance for many years and some are loath to forego that special relationship and to have it dealt with through An Chomhairle. I am hopeful that the necessary centralisation and unification will take place.
Could the Minister give an approximate estimate of when this might be achieved?
It is very difficult because the Deputy will appreciate that I cannot anticipate the date on which other people may acquiesce in what I am endeavouring to achieve. I think that any misgivings or worries that people had at one time have substantially evaporated by now.
