Arts Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 March 2014

Thursday, 6 March 2014

Questions (141, 142, 143, 144)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

141. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in relation to subhead A7 capital allocations 2013 of his Department's Revised Estimates, and in particular in relation to the access II scheme, the date on which the scheme commenced; the date on which the first grant was given; the number of, the name of and the amounts awarded under the scheme in 2012; if the scheme is still open, the names of the persons on the independent selection committee and if others not on the committee now have served previously; if records are available of the meetings of the selection committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11229/14]

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

142. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in relation to grants awarded in 2012 under subheads A6 and A7 of his Department's Vote for which he is stated to be the decision maker, the administrative process that supports his decision making; if he will confirm that as the decision maker he has personally read and assessed the applications himself; the type and nature of records held by his Department involved in or related to this decision making process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11230/14]

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

143. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in relation to subhead A7 capital allocations 2012 and in particular in relation to small capital grants, the date on which the application process was commenced; the date on which the first grant was given; the number of, the name of and the amounts awarded under the grant in 2012; if the application process is still open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11231/14]

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

144. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in relation to the philanthropy scheme operated under subhead A7 of his Departments Vote, the date on which the application process was commenced; the date on which the first grant was given; the number of, the name of and the amounts awarded under the scheme in 2012; if the scheme is still open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11232/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I propose to take Questions Nos 141 to 144, inclusive, together.

Capital grants for arts projects paid in 2012 and previous years under the A7 Cultural Infrastructure and Development subhead of my Department's Vote are published on my Department's website at www.ahg.gov.ie/en/arts/grantsandfunding This funding covered payments under a number of different schemes.

The majority of the payments listed were capital grants payments under ACCESS II (Arts and Culture Capital Enhancement Support Scheme II) in the 2006-2008 period and apply to major capital projects. Applications were made in 2006 following advertisements in the national media. The decision-making process occurred mainly in 2006 and was lead by an independent assessment committee under the chairmanship of Mr John Fitzgerald, former Dublin City Council Manager. The selection committee also included senior representatives of the Office of Public Works, the Arts Council and the then Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism. Grants were allocated in 2007 and again in 2008 based on the recommendations made by this committee. Capital projects usually involve multi-year drawdowns.

When availability of funds allow, smaller capital grants may also be made available. Details of the application process for this type of funding, along with the requirements and criteria for drawdown of these grants, is published on my Department's website at www.ahg.gov.ie/en/publications/artspublications

On 15 May 2012, I announced details of the Philanthropy Scheme and the application process was opened on that date. Full details of all awards made under the initiative in 2012 and 2013 are available on my Department’s website at the link above http://www.ahg.gov.ie/en/arts/grantsandfunding

Applications, under current schemes are assessed by the professional staff of my Department against the published criteria and project proposals are submitted to me for final decision. It is standard practice that records are kept in my Department of all grant assessment processes.