Committee of Public Accounts to examine 2020 Appropriation Account and report on Oversight of funding for Galway 2020 with Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

The meeting in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will be joined by the C&AG, Seamus McCarthy, and will be split into two sessions.

The morning session, from 9.30am-12.30pm, will be with officials from the Department led by the Secretary General, Katherine Licken, and will examine:

Appropriation Account 2020 (Vote 33 Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media);

C&AG Report 2020 – Chapter 7: Oversight of funding for the European Capital of Culture 2020.

During the afternoon session, the Committee will consider the Minutes of its meeting of 18 November 2021, Accounts and Statements, Correspondence, its Work Programme and any other business.

PAC Cathaoirleach Deputy Brian Stanley said: “The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media had gross expenditure of €972 million in 2020 across its five areas of responsibility. Areas of interest to the Committee include grants for sports bodies and funding for sports and recreational facilities through Sport Ireland, commitments made regarding Ireland’s bid to host the 2027 Ryder Cup, and funding provided to the Arts Council, Screen Ireland, museums and libraries, and Udaras na Gaeltachta.

“Given that RTÉ received just under €200 million through collection of the TV licence fee, the Committee is interested in the level of the Department’s oversight of how these monies are spent by RTÉ. We are also interested in the level of Covid-related supports funded by the Department for the sports, tourism, arts and culture, and broadcasting sectors.

“Members will also examine the matters raised by the C&AG in his report on Oversight of funding for the European Capital of Culture 2020, including why the programme delivery model for Galway 2020 differed to that used for similar events for other Irish cities, how the share of Exchequer funding increased beyond the planned 50 per cent, and the value for money delivered by expenditure on Galway 2020.

“The Committee looks forward to discussing this expenditure and related matters with Ms Licken and her colleagues.”

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

PAC is a standing committee of Dáil Éireann which focuses on ensuring public services are run efficiently and achieve value for money.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.