Vol. 435 No. 5
38 Mr. Cox asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if, in relation to the 1 per cent scheme for artistic purposes in conjunction with the Structural Funds, he will give details of the arrangements that have been made in the context of the National Development Plan 1994-1999 to ensure that the 1 per cent will be allocated for artistic purposes in all local authority areas and in respect of each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Responsibility for the administration of the present 1 per cent scheme is a matter for the Minister for the Environment.
Under the scheme local authorities may include in the capital cost of public works projects a sum not exceeding 1 per cent of cost or £20,000 whichever is the lower for an appropriate artistic embellishment. The scheme applies whether or not the project is financed from Structural Funds.
Under the Programme for a Partnership Government 1993-1997, there is a commitment requiring local authorities to spend 1 per cent of their budget for capital projects on artistic embellishment. Officials of my Department have to date had a number of meetings with officials of the Department of the Environment regarding the operation of the scheme. I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to pursue this important matter with the Department of the Environment.
