Vol. 520 No. 2
20 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands when she expects to confirm the terms of reference of the examination being carried out by consultants into the role of the Irish Film Board; when she expects to receive the report of the consultants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15312/00]
The following are the terms of reference for the review of the Irish Film Board: taking account of the recommendations in the report of the Film Industry Strategic Review Group in relation to the expanded role and functions envisaged for the Irish industry, to review the existing organisation, operations and resources of the board and make recommendations within the parameters of existing legislation to the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands on: the human resource requirements, including necessary staffing levels, skill requirements, remuneration and reward systems needed to give full effect to these recommendations; the most appropriate management and organisations structures to enable the board to deliver efficiently and effectively its expanded brief including, in particular, recommendations on the most appropriate and effective division of functions and working responsibilities between the board and its executives; the role of existing committees and sub-committees of the board in the context of ensuring the most efficient and effective implementation of the expanded role envisaged for it; and the appropriate relationship between the board and other bodies and agencies in the State sector concerned with the audio-visual industry.
Following tendering Olsberg SPI were yesterday appointed as the consultants to carry out this review. I intend the work to commence immediately and I expect that the report of the consultants will be received at the end of June.
On 12 April we were informed in relation to this issue that the Minister hoped the consultants would soon be in place and that the report would be available before the autumn. Is that still a realistic objective?
I intend work to commence now that the consultants are in position. I expect the report to be received from the consultants by the end of June, when I will look at it. I will then be able to reply to the Deputy's question at the earliest possible opportunity.
I take it from the Minister's answer that the possibility of the report being available in the autumn is now a remote one. Does the Minister envisage that when she sees the consultants' report there may be a need for further legislation regarding the Irish Film Board?
First, I do not want the Deputy to put words in my mouth. It is possible we will have that information by the autumn. I hope to have the report by the end of June, which will give me some time to look at it and to come back here in the autumn. It obviously depends on how long the consultants take, but if they stick to that programme and report by June we should be able to meet the autumn deadline.
The terms of reference relate to reviewing the existing organisation and operation within the parameters of existing legislation. To answer the Deputy's question, it will not necessitate further legislation.
Is the Minister serious that she expects the consultants to report before the end of June? Tomorrow is the beginning of June and it is a short month. Is she being over optimistic or over confident about that date?
It is most important that this work be done. It was this Government which accepted the need to look at the film industry in a strategic way over the next ten years, which set up the strategic review committee to report and was able to take on board the 20 recommendations in the group's report, with one exception. I was not prepared to put a levy on film seats.
Yesterday, following a tendering process, the consultants Olsberg SPI were commissioned to carry out the work. I expect that work to start immediately and I am told the report should be received by the end of June. That is as much as I can say at this stage. Once I accept that report, the Deputy can be assured there will not be any further delay.
