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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 31 May 1978

Vol. 307 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers . - National College of Art and Design .

12.

asked the Minister for Education if the board of the National College of Art and Design, Dublin, have reported to him on the allegations concerning the private business registered there; the action he is taking to recoup State moneys which may have been used by that private business; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

: The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is "yes". The report is being examined in my Department. Pending the outcome of this examination I do not propose to make a statement on the matter.

: Arising out of the report which contains a serious allegation, when will the Minister be in a position to come to a decision on this matter? If he is satisfied that there was private business registered and actively being pursued by members of the staff, what action will he take to recoup State moneys which were used by way of direct finance or by use of the services of the college?

: As I said, I do not intend to make any statement on the matter. I am in consultation with the Attorney General.

: May I repeat the question at a future time?

13.

asked the Minister for Education the procedure to be used for selecting the next director of the National College of Art and Design, Dublin; if he is satisfied that there will be wide publicity given to the existence of the vacancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

: The appointment of the next Director of the National College of Art and Design will be made in accordance with the terms of Section 17 of the National College of Art and Design Act, 1971.

The vacancy has been advertised in the following papers: The Irish Press, The Irish Independent, The Irish Times, The Cork Examiner, The Belfast Telegraph, The Guardian, The Times Higher Education Supplement. Consequently, I am satisfied that wide publicity has been given to the existence of the vacancy and have no further statement to make on the matter.

: Is the Minister satisfied that the interview board will be so constructed as to allow of fairly independent assessment of the applicants and a fairly independent attitude in relation to appointments?

: As the Deputy knows, the board is a statutory body and is bound by the statute which set it up.

: That is not an answer to the question I asked.

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