Phil Hogan
Question:467 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of committees that have been established since 1997; the total cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15655/03]
Written Answers. - Departmental Committees.
The Bloomsday centenary co-ordinating committee was established in January 2003 to co-ordinate the plans many literary and cultural organisations have for special events and activities to mark the centenary of Bloomsday in 2004. The 2003 allocation of €200,000 is intended to cover the fee and expenses of the national co-ordinator appointed by the committee, in addition to advertising and other costs associated with marketing and promotion of events connected with the 2004 celebrations.
On 19 December 2002, I established a high level steering group to oversee a major review of tourism policy and I expect to receive its final report during the summer. As the group is still working on its final report, the total cost involved is not yet determined.
The interdepartmental committee on public art was established in October 2002 under the chairmanship of this Department, to draft a set of general national guidelines for the implementation of the per cent for art scheme. There have been no direct costs incurred by this committee.
The China Festival Committee was established in March 2002 to oversee the development and implementation of proposals for a festival in China as provided for under the memorandum of understanding on cultural co-operation with China, which was signed in September 2001. There have been no direct costs incurred by the committee.
The ACCESS committee was established in March 2001 to evaluate applications under the arts and culture capital enhancement support scheme – ACCESS. There have been no direct costs incurred by this committee.
The responsibility for the national stadium project transferred to the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation in January 2001. Four interdepartmental groups or committees were established. No direct costs arose in respect of these groups. The groups are as follows: the Campus Ireland steering group was established to oversee the Campus and Stadium Project; the stadium overview steering group – May 2001 to November 2001 – was established to oversee the independent overview by consultants of the Campus and Stadium Project; the stadium working group – July 2002 to September 2002 – was established by the Government to examine the various options for the provision of a national stadium; and the expression of interest assessment panel – October 2002 to November 2002 – was established to assess the expressions of interest invited from the private sector interested in involvement with the stadium project.
The committee which drew up the code of ethics and good practice for children's sport in Ireland was re-convened in 1998 to review its contents in the light of the Murphy report. A new code was launched on 7 November 2000. There were no direct costs incurred by this group.
An interdepartmental working group was set up in August 1999, to develop guidelines and advise on the other key issues for the operation of a public private partnership, PPP, approach regarding swimming pools. The group was chaired by my Department and comprised of members from the Department of the Environment and Local Government, the Office of Public Works and representatives from three local authorities. This report will assist my Department in formulating future policy on swimming pools in the context of an expenditure review of the local authority swimming pool programme, which is being carried out this year. There were no direct costs associated with this group.
The film industry strategic review group was established in June 1998. The group presented its report to the Minister in August 1999. The costs arising amounted to €210,268.
An interdepartmental group to review the sports capital programme was established in July 1998. The group reported to the Minister in December 1998. There were no costs incurred by this group.