Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Nov 1996

Vol. 471 No. 4

Written Answers - National Museum.

Máirín Quill

Question:

36 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht his views on the staffing levels at the National Museum; and if the recommendations of the Lord report in relation to this matter will be implemented. [20886/96]

Michael McDowell

Question:

38 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht his views on the staffing levels at the National Museum; and if the recommendations of the Lord report in relation to this matter will be implemented. [20887/96]

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 36 agus 38 le chéile.

At present there are 89 persons employed in the National Museum, 16 of whom are on temporary contract. An additional two positions are vacant at present. On average, an additional 12 temporary staff are recruited each year during the busy season.

Approval has been received for the employment of 29 extra head of staff — 23 attendants and six management level positions. These positions are at present being discussed with museum management and with staff interests. My intention is to have the new staff members at management level in place as soon as possible and the extra attendant staff in sufficient time for the opening of the Collins Barracks Museum Development.

It was clear to me when I was appointed as Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht that additional resources, including staff, were required for our National Museum and I have endeavoured to address this at a time when staff numbers throughout the Civil Service as a whole are severely restricted.

LORD Cultural Resources Planning and Management Limited was commissioned to assist in the development of a strategic plan for the National Museum and their recommendations were taken into account by the Interim Board of the museum in its report which was presented to me in May 1995.

The Interim Board's report presents what is considered to be the most appropriate staffing structure for the National Museum. The report recommended a number of key areas that needed to be addressed such as documentation, conservation, education, marketing and development, clerical support and attendant staffing.

A good deal of progress has already been made in those areas. The museum has been carrying out documentation work for some time now with the assistance of staff recruited on temporary contracts. The areas of conservation, education, marketing and development will be addressed by the new management level posts. Additional clerical support staff have also been provided for the museum and, as I mentioned previously, 23 additional attendants will also be recruited for Collins Barracks.

I intend to continue to make every effort to ensure that an adequate staffing level is available in the National Museum to carry out the work with which it is charged.