Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2015
647. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps she will take given the recent publication of the comprehensive value for money report on the Arts Council and arts funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33431/15]
View answerPrimary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Council, although funded by my Department, is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations and specifically in its funding decisions.
A comprehensive review of the Arts Council's activities and operation over the period 2009 to 2012 was recently published by my Department. It was undertaken by my Department’s Evaluation Unit under the guidance of an expert Steering Committee chaired by Dr. John O'Hagan, Professor of Economics at Trinity College. The review commends the Council for its response to the economic crisis by significantly reducing administration costs; overhauling its organisational structures; and developing on its RAISE initiative, which helps arts organisations to diversify funding streams.
The review also highlights the need for the Council to expand its efforts to improve transparency around its decision making; give greater consideration to addressing the issue of regional balance in accessing the arts; and to engage more with stakeholders and establish the evidence-base for the societal benefits of its work.
The Value for Money Policy Review should act as an important tool for the Arts Council to improve its hugely beneficial work in funding arts organisations across the State. It is available to download on my Department's website.
The Arts Council has recently published its new strategy Making Great Art Work which sets out its plan for leading the development of the arts in Ireland over the next decade and which also reflects some of the outcomes of the Value for Money review. Further information on the strategy is available on the website of the Council at www.artscouncil.ie.
I propose to meet the Council shortly to discuss implementation of the recommendations of the Review and the Council’s new strategy.
