Vol. 525 No. 5
99 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands her views on the introduction of a quality mark for all museums as suggested by the Heritage Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25581/00]
I am aware that the Heritage Council is actively examining a standards and accreditation scheme for museums and that it set up a pilot study to establish standards, test the first two stages of the accreditation model and assess and evaluate the training requirement for accreditation. I understand this pilot scheme will be objectively evaluated. The study has been based on five local museums or collecting bodies and one national institution. I await with interest the outcome of the pilot scheme and its evaluation.
I thank the Minister for her reply. I was under the impression the pilot scheme had been carried out but obviously my information is incorrect. Does the Minister agree that, unless there is a plan for local and regional museums which links them to the National Museum and which is underpinned by standards, valuable collections will continue to be inadequately cared for and premises will not be of a sufficient standard to display objects on loan from the National Museum, such as those currently in storage? Does she further agree that, in terms of sharing our heritage evenly and bringing about a greater appreciation of that heritage, funding must be provided and that the accreditation and standardisation system must be put in place as a matter of urgency?
I agree with a great deal of what the Deputy has said. It is important to share our heritage and when it is in operation this scheme will help to progress that objective. I await the outcome and evaluation of the pilot scheme with great interest. The Deputy will be glad to hear that the draft heritage plan which I am compiling will include a provision for an independent system of quality assurance at local and national levels. It is with the philosophy outlined by the Deputy in mind that I have ensured this will play an important part in the heritage plan.
I have a document from the Heritage Council which states that the pilot study was carried out and that its findings are in place. This is at variance with what the Minister is saying. Is the Minister's information out of date?
I do not believe so. The Heritage Council has a draft copy of the report, evaluation and recommendations for a national accreditation scheme. I have not seen the outcome of its deliberations and will not be able to comment on them until I do. I await with interest the outcome of the pilot scheme and its evaluation because I share the Deputy's view that it is important that national and local museums have an opportunity to display artefacts which, perhaps, are in the National Museum. However, before doing so they must reach certain standards to protect, conserve and preserve artefacts but also—
A Cheann Comhairle, if I could—
Time is running out and I wish to call Deputy Clune who has been offering.
Where are the pilot schemes being carried out? The Minister made an announcement the week before last, but will moneys be made available to museums and libraries under the heritage plan?
To avoid confusion, let me clarify that the Heritage Council is actively examining the standards and accreditation scheme. The council is an independent body which advises the Minister and the Department but I have not received its recommendations. When I receive them I will look at them with great interest as I share many of the views expressed in the House.
I hope to announce the heritage plan shortly and museums will play an important role in the plan. Deputy Clune will appreciate that there has been a substantial increase in funding for all national institutions, including the National Museum, since this Government took office.
I will allow a brief question from Deputy O'Shea.
Will the Minister undertake to contact the Heritage Council and ask for and receive a copy of whatever details it has on this report, particularly the findings mentioned in the document I obtained from the heritage website? There has been a breakdown in communications as the Minister should have had this information long ago. Someone is remiss because this agenda is not being advanced more quickly.
Will the Minister also undertake to pay more than lip service to this area and to allocate more moneys to local and regional museums then they currently receive?
The Deputy will understand there are certain procedures to be followed. The Heritage Council is an independent body. I am sure the Deputy is not inferring it does not know how to carry out its business. When the council has completed its work it will advise me of the results.
That reflects on the Minister.
Otherwise I would be interfering with an independent body. I am sure the Deputy would be the first to point that out if I did so.
