asked the Minister for Education if he will pay part of the grant-in-aid to the Royal Irish Academy of Music in January, 1976.
5.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Royal Irish Academy of Music.
4.
asked the Minister for Education the steps he is taking to ensure an adequate grant-in-aid for the Royal Irish Academy of Music for 1975.
6.
asked the Minister for Education if he intends to wipe out the current account deficit of the Royal Irish Academy of Music.
7.
asked the Minister for Education if he will hold consultations with the Royal Irish Academy of Music before he determines its grant-in-aid for 1976.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 7, inclusive, together.
The Deputy will appreciate that such funds as my Department provide for the Royal Irish Academy of Music are in the form of a grant-in-aid. Meeting the entire financial requirements of the academy is not the responsibility of the Department.
In the grant-in-aid for 1975 provision has been made to the limit of available resources, and it is not possible to grant any increase in the current year on the amount already provided.
The question of the amount of the grant-in-aid for 1976 will be examined as sympathetically as possible within the constraints imposed by available resources and the overall demands on these resources.
It is not normal practice to hold consultations such as the Deputy has mentioned before determining the amount of an institutional grant-in-aid.
An instalment of the grant-in-aid for 1976 will be paid to the academy as early as possible in the financial year.
Am I to take it that the Minister recognises the importance of the academy in terms of music education?
Yes.
Is the Minister aware that the academy is running at a loss and has no means of coping with that situation other than by way of increased grant-in-aid?
On reflection I am sure the Deputy will realise that his last statement is not true. There are other means of finance available to the academy.
Is the Minister aware that the academy's activities are widespread throughout the country, that the work of this institution is considered to be on a national level and they cannot be too severe in relation to fees?
That is a change of feet. Originally the Deputy took another line. I am aware that there has been an increase in the fees demanded, that fees are a source of revenue for the academy. In those circumstances the Department of Education cannot be regarded as the sole source of funds for this very desirable activity.
I admit that, but since the fees have been increased and the Department's grant-in-aid has been taken into account and there is still a deficit, surely the Minister could increase the grant-in-aid?
We hope always to increase grants-in-aid.
May we take it that there will be an increase next year in the grant-in-aid for the academy?
I hate to have to harp on this but the Estimate for next year has not been prepared yet.
Can the Minister say what he has against a simple consultation with the academy?
Nothing whatever on matters of interest to both of us except in relation to preparation of the financial statement and the amount of the grant-in-aid. It is not usual to have such consultations in determining the amounts of grant-in-aid.
Would the Minister not agree that one of the chief principles in his party's policy was the necessity for consultation, that the implication was that the last Government did not consult adequately the people who were interested in governmental activity? Is he not prepared to meet the officers of the academy in an effort to determine a reasonable grant-in-aid for next year?
Consultations have taken place but I am not prepared to engage in what is not normal practice. The vehemence of the questions today is not helpful.
The Minister has said that he is aware of the importance of the academy. As one who is connected closely with that institution, I assure the Minister that we appreciate the interest which he and the Department have shown always in its work.
Has the Deputy a question?
Is the Minister prepared to undertake to impress on the financial side of the Government the importance of this body and to say that he will support the academy so far as possible in their demands, bearing in mind the unique position they occupy in the musical life of this country?
I can give the Deputy that assurance.
With regard to what the Minister said about the absence of consultation in the case of grants-in-aid, as one who has had considerable experience of making grants-in-aid available in the different Departments over which I presided, is the Minister seriously suggesting it is unusual to have consultation in advance of the preparation of Estimates? Secondly, is the Minister aware that one of the principal complaints of the directors of the academy is that they are asked to submit a detailed estimate of their expenditure under different heads and, when the grant is made available, no reference whatever is made to any of these details? A block grant is made available. Thirdly, in view of the complaints made by the directors because of the absence of prior consultation, will the Minister now, even if it is a departure from precedent, consult with the directors with regard to the proper amount of the grant-in-aid that should be made available?
Sir, could I——
Deputies
Let him answer.
Arising out of the supplementary question of the Leader of the Opposition, is the Minister aware that an interpretation is being put on his replies which his replies do not, in fact, bear out?
On a point of order.
The Leader of the Opposition is assuming——
There is a point of order, Deputy.
If Deputy Dockrell wants to debate this, I am quite prepared to do that. I asked the Minister a series of questions and I am sure the Minister is quite capable of answering without Deputy Dockrell coming to his assistance. I asked three questions. I await the Minister's replies.
"Yes" is the answer to the first. In regard to the second, the submissions made by the academy are taken into account in determining the amount of the grant-in-aid. I have already answered the third on at least two occasions.
How does the Minister think the academy could wipe out the present deficit?
The Deputy has made a suggestion we were totally responsible for the financing of that institute. There are other ways open to them.