Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 July 2014
15. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she had any discussions with the Arts Council regarding the manner in which the council allocates funding to ensure that all persons and organisations receiving funds are operating in an ethical manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31273/14]
View answerPrimary responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council as the national agency for funding, developing and promoting the arts in Ireland. This year, the Arts Council will receive a total allocation of €56.9 million. Although, the Arts Council is funded from my Department's Vote, it is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations as provided for in the Arts Act 2003. This specifically includes independence in its funding decisions.
The Arts Council recently published the report of an independent strategic review group chaired by Mr. Terence O’Rourke. The Strategic Review Report was commissioned by the Arts Council and provides a series of proposals that may be used by the Arts Council to inform strategy in the years ahead. The Council will now begin to examine the detail and the implications of the Review.
Members of the Arts Council are subject to the Ethics in Public Office legislation, and members make annual returns under that legislation. Furthermore, meetings of the Council are governed by declaration of interest protocols, in accordance with best practice. Staff at the Council are also subject to declaration of interest codes.
