I appreciate Deputy Quill has raised questions on this issue in the past and that she has a keen interest in it, as do other Deputies. I have referred to the matters about which we can be definite. I have outlined the membership of the steering committee which will be chaired by the Department of the Environment and will include representation from my Department, An Chomhairle Ealaíon, Temple Bar Properties and the Office of Public Works. The committee will report within six months from 26 May. The cost of this consultancy study is approximately £32,000 and it will be shared between the various Departments and bodies represented on it. When the committee makes its report we will then have to put in place a strategy of action. That will provide the Minister for the Environment and myself an opportunity to see how this can be done.
It is important to realise that in a scheme such as this, as in every other area of arts and culture activity, the more goodwill that emanates from local authorities, the better. Some local authorities are doing very well in this regard, others are resisting. It must be said that some local authorities and local authority management structures require a change of attitude. It is the desire of the Government to make this scheme work. I may have to consider, in my consultations with the Minister for the Environment, whether we might have to introduce a more compulsory scheme. However, the objective is to put in place a worthwhile scheme and perhaps the steering committee will be in a position to suggest some flexibilities that might be incorporated in it which will help us achieve the desired results.
I am aware that some local authorities requested permission to use part of their 1 per cent allocation for the arts scheme to fund an officer to advise them on the overall implementation of the scheme, which seemed sensible. In that regard I am referring to Cork. When I receive the report of the steering committee I will try to put a strategy for action in place in consultation with the Minister for the Environment.