asked the Taoiseach if his approval was sought by the National Museum for the introduction of an entry charge to the new treasury gallery of the Museum; if such approval was given; if it is intended to introduce a charge for entrance to the museum generally; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Museum Admission Charges.
1.
This decision was taken by the Minister of State with responsibility for arts and culture after consultation with the Taoiseach.
Since responsibility for the National Museum was transferred in 1984 to the Department of the Taoiseach, various measures to improve and develop the museum have been under consideration. The museum is in need of considerable financial investment if long standing problems in relation to staffing and accommodation are to be resolved and if the museum is to function effectively and provide the service expected from a national cultural institution.
In the present state of the public finances, the investment required for the proper development of the National Museum needs to be supplemented by resources generated by the museum itself including modest entrance charges and sponsorship. These two elements have been introduced in the current treasures exhibition.
With regard to the question of entrance charges to the museum generally, it is intended to introduce a charge for the museum of decorative arts now being developed at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham. Major renovation works are due to be carried out in other museum locations, including Kildare Street, during the coming years. The question of applying an entrance charge generally will be considered when this work is complete.
Would the Minister agree that this Toryism that has been introduced here from Britain has been a failure in Britain and has resulted in a drop in attendance at museums in Britain and a loss of goodwill? Would the Minister not agree that it is a mistake to introduce these charges and that he should withdraw them?
As the Deputy is aware, there were major problems in our National Museum. It needed attention across a whole range of areas — accommodation, preservation, display and so on. We are giving it that urgent attention so there have been major developments. Most of the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham has been given over to the decorative arts. I hope to be able to invite Dáil Deputies to see the new display in the treasury. It is as good as anything that exists in Europe and has an audio-visual room. There are also new developments in Kildare Street where a graphical collection will be put on display in a new room, and we want to develop the central court as a gold room. All of these developments cost a lot of money. It is necessary to augment the Exchequer contribution in some way such as through sponsorship — we have a very good example of that in the treasury — through augmenting the shop which is becoming a major source of income for the British Museum and through charges. In the interests of progress the introduction of charges will be a good thing. Contrary to what the Deputy suggests, I believe that proper presentation and display will result in increased attendance at the museum. I know there has been a fall off in some of the museums in Britain. But charges are commonplace in virtually all of the European museums. Britain, despite their experience, recently introduced charges to the Natural History Museum. Anyone visiting the treasury now would be quite amazed at the difference display and presentation make. In order to improve those areas we must have funds and I believe we will get extra visitors rather than a diminished number.
I share the Minister's desire to improve the presentation of our cultural heritage but I do not share his desire to charge the common people for seeing their own national heritage. Would the Minister not regard these charges as a tax on learning? Do the Government intend to extend this to our schools which are also badly in need of funding? Does he intend to charge students for entry to our primary schools? Will the Minister not back off and cancel the charges to the treasury?
There is one free day. There is no admission charge for old age pensioners and for the unwaged. The charges themselves are very modest — 30p for children, 20p if they are in a group, £1 for adults, £2 for family tickets and families can bring whatever extended family they wish. I believe that the good that will flow from this will offset the difficulties the Deputy refers to. In the general interests of the development at the National Museum these charges are a good thing and that is the reason they are being introduced. In regard to general charges for the museum that is something for the future. By that time I hope there will be legislation to have the museum run by a board like the National Gallery or the National Concert Hall, and it will be up to them to make decisions in regard to charges generally.
Can the Minister of State give us any idea of the sum of money involved in this change?
I cannot give full details but the likely income is £70,000 or £80,000 a year. The likely cost of collection is about £5,000.
How much does the Minister expect it will bring in in a year?
£70,000 to £80,000.
What does the £5,000 represent?
It represents the extra charges, so far as staffing is concerned. for the collection of the revenue.
Does the Minister think the gain is worth a candle? After all, free admission to museums and galleries is a very old tradition. As Deputy De Rossa points out, what the Minister is doing is charging for culture and learning. Is it not a bit artificial to try to justify his position on the basis that it will improve the museum? Can we have any guarantee that this paltry sum that is expected to be raised will in fact go towards improving the circumstances of the museum? Will it not, as always happen in these cases, be snaffled by that other treasury, the Department of Finance?
In regard to the latter point, we have arranged that all of the funds collected will go towards the development of the museum. There is no question of their being returned to the Department of Finance. It is universal practice in continental museums at the moment to have charges. The Deputy rightly points out that traditionally there were no charges here or in Britain but in those circumstances we allowed our museums to be neglected and fall into decay, and is constantly commented on by the board of visitors. We had to do something about it. We will try to get all the tax we can from the Exchequer but we should also seek to augment it. We are doing that through sponsorship. We have very handsome sponsorship for the new treasury at the moment. We also augment it through the new charges. The charges are modest and we will keep them as low as possible. The £70,000 or £80,000 will make a handsome contribution to various activities within the museum.