Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2004
470 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if public funds allocated for the St. Patrick’s festival in Dublin were allocated on an arm’s length basis; if there was no conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest in the allocation of such funds; if he has satisfied himself with regard to accountability provisions relating to the festival; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11561/04]
View answerThe allocation of funds to festivals and other cultural events, including the St. Patrick's festival, is a matter for Fáilte Ireland in the context of its administration and implementation of the festivals and cultural events initiative.
Decisions in respect of individual grant allocations are ultimately made by the Fáilte Ireland authority on the basis of an assessment by the executive of an event's contribution to the promotion of tourism and in the light of the authority's overall priorities for the initiative. Furthermore, I am assured that all grant offers are subject to appropriate conditions, including an independent audit of expenditure and a value for money audit.
