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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Dec 1989

Vol. 394 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Appropriations-in-Aid Increase.

6.

asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the source of the estimated receipt of £295,000 by his Department in appropriations-in-aid in 1990; the reason this item is estimated to increase by 224 per cent over the comparable figure for 1989; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The estimated increase in appropriations-in-aid for my Department in 1990 arises from a change in accounting procedures in regard to the non-Exchequer receipts generated by the National Museum, the National Library and the National Archives.

Heretofore, it was the practice to lodge some receipts to appropriations-in-aid and others to bank accounts held by the institutions. By agreement with the Department of Finance, following views expressed by the Comptroller and Auditor General, it has now been decided that properly all receipts should be brought to account in the appropriations-in-aid in my Department's Vote and to allocate an equivalent amount of money for ongoing developments in each of the institutions.

The expected receipts for 1990 are: National Museum of Ireland £200,000; National Library of Ireland £50,000; National Archives of Ireland £20,000 and Department of the Taoiseach £25,000.

Would the Taoiseach say whether consideration was ever given to the fact that most museums around the world have replicas of pieces held by those museums for sale and are bought by the public? Would the Taoiseach favour that? It is something that has never been undertaken here. Would the Taoiseach favour the idea of increasing his appropriations-in-aid by organising such a service which could have tremendous popularity?

There are very ambitious plans under way for exactly that service.

Is the Taoiseach aware that a special committee was established in 1986 with a view to producing such replicas and would he say what has been the result of the activities of that committee?

A whole range of beautiful replicas is now available. I will be pleased to give the Deputy one with my compliments.

May I ask the Taoiseach whether — in view of the advice given by the Comptroller and Auditor General and the fact that, particularly in the case of the museum, there are now significant sums accruing which in the present circumstances have to be brought in as appropriations-in-aid and then an equivalent sum disbursed — he feels that consideration should be given to putting the National Museum and, perhaps, the other bodies, on a more normal basis in which they would be provided with a grant-in-aid and have their own receipts, as well to encourage them to develop rather than be kept so closely within the Government accountancy system?

That is the way it was, but the Comptroller and Auditor General asked that this change be made.

I understand why, in the present circumstances, he had to so recommend but does that not suggest the desirability of separating the National Museum so that it would have its own funds, raised by its own means and from Government by way of grant-in-aid, rather than having to operate under this cumbersome mechanism of paying everything it receives into the Exchequer and getting equivalent sums out again? Is it not time it was put on its own feet with a grant-in-aid rather than through this method of financing?

I will consult with the Comptroller and Auditor General on that.

Would the Taoiseach agree that it also acts as a major disincentive for making money by the various enterprises——

No, there is no disincentive. They get the amount back but, as Deputy FitzGerald said, by way of a rather cumbersome mechanism.

Would the Taoiseach say whether the method advocated by Deputy FitzGerald would require legislation?

No, not necessarily.

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