asked the Taoiseach the role, if any, his Department play in the recruitment of staff to the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin 4; the structure of the staff; the salary grades paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Chester Beatty Library.
59.
Under the terms of the will of the late Sir Alfred Chester Beatty, the trustees are empowered to employ staff for the purposes of the library. The Department of the Taoiseach play no direct role in the recruitment of such staff.
The Chester Beatty Library staff have pay parity with public service grades and a grant-in-aid from my Department meets a major portion of the library's current expenses. Discussions are ongoing between the Department and the library's trustees to ensure that current government policy guidelines in relation to recruitment, conditions of service etc., are followed.
The present staffing structure and pay levels of the library staff are set out at Appendix 1.
Appendix 1.
Number, Grade and Pay of Chester Beatty Library Posts
|
Grade |
Number |
Pay Scale |
|||
|
£ |
|||||
|
Director/Librarian |
1 |
27,723 |
— |
34,808 |
(6 points) |
|
Curator |
3.5 |
19,617 |
— |
22,399 |
(11 points) |
|
Personal Assistant |
1 |
6,223 |
— |
11,246 |
(15 points) |
|
Senior Guard Attendant |
1 |
8,544 |
— |
9,398 |
(7 points) |
|
Guard Attendant |
3 |
8,177 |
— |
8,642 |
(4 points) |
|
Gardener |
1 |
8,056 |
— |
8,599 |
(13 points) |
60.
asked the Taoiseach his Department's policy on the exhibition of State treasures held at the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin 4; the number of such exhibitions which have been held (a) outside Dublin and (b) outside the State since January 1987; within that period, the number of requests for exhibition material which were considered by the trustees from museums and institutions in (a) the State, (b) Northern Ireland and (c) other countries; and in respect of these requests, the number which were agreed to by the trustees.
The Policy in relation to the exhibition of the treasures of the Chester Beatty collection is determined by the trustees. They have to take account of the fact that many of the priceless objects in the collection are of a fragile nature and may only be displayed under highly controlled conditions. Where possible, the existing practice of lending facsimile copies of the material will be continued.
Appendix I sets out the specific data requested by the Deputy.
Appendix I
Chester Beatty Library Requests for and Exhibitions since January, 1987
1. Numbers of exhibitions held: (a) outside Dublin, nil; (b) outside the State, 4.
2. Number of requests for exhibitions from institutions: (a) within the State, 4; (b) in Northern Ireland, 1; (c) in other countries, 5.
3. Number of exhibitions agreed for institutions: (a) within the State, 4; (b) in Northern Ireland, nil; (c) in other countries, 3.