Vol. 511 No. 2
9 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the position regarding the provision of a centre for performing arts with a conservatoire to be sited at Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23849/99]
10 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the specific steps, if any, she will take to ensure the establishment of a centre for the performing arts incorporating a conservatoire in view of the commitment contained in the review of An Action Programme for the Millennium; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23689/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 10 together.
I refer the Deputies to my reply to Question No. 3 of 3 June last on the position regarding the provision of a centre for the performing arts, including a conservatoire. As I outlined then, the services of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London were engaged by the Minister for Education and Science and myself to undertake a study, inter alia, on the scope, content and the process to be adopted to achieve the preferred model for such an academy. The actual terms of reference given to the Guildhall were to recommend on the appropriate scope and content for the proposed academy for the performing arts in Ireland; the areas of immediate and long-term specialisation appropriate to the academy; the process to be adopted to achieve the preferred model and the potential, if any, for rationalisation of existing courses.
The Guildhall presented its comprehensive report during the summer. The thinking of my colleague, the Minister of Education and Science, and myself has been considerably informed by this report. Our thinking is now at an advanced stage and we expect to be in a position to bring our proposals to Government in the near future.
Ba mhaith liom ar an gcéad dul síos comhbhrón a ghabháil leis an Aire Stáit ar bhás a athar agus leis an Aire chomh maith. Tuigim go maith an méid a rinne Brian Ó Cuív ar son na tíre, ar son na teanga agus ar son scoláireachta. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. Is this and other projects accommodated under the national plan and, if so, under what heading is the capital expenditure described?
I can get the exact reference for the Deputy but this centre is accommodated in the national development plan.
Will the Minister give me an up to date account of progress made since we last asked questions on this matter? The Minister said this will become a reality. Will she give a timetable as regards the negotiations with Earlsfort Terrace and say whether agreement has been reached on a purchase price?
This centre was promised when we were in Opposition and it is a follow through on one of our promises in An Action Programme for the Millennium. It will be a millennium project and will be announced as such. A great deal of work has been going on behind the scenes, some of which I described in my initial reply. We are waiting for observations to come back from other Departments, as is usual, and we will then bring our memorandum to Government. It will not be too long.
