James McDaid
Ceist:37 Dr. McDaid asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the number of paintings and artifacts owned by the State; the number currently available for viewing by the public; and where these are available.
Written Answers. - Art Objects owned by State.
Because the number of paintings and artefacts owned by the State is constantly increasing, due mainly to donations from private donors, it is not possible to give a current figure on numbers as requested by the Deputy. However, I would like to place on record here my warm appreciation of the continuing generosity of individual collectors of works of art who have donated some or all of these to the State for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of Ireland.
The paintings and artefacts owned by the State are on view to the public at the National Museum of Ireland, the National Gallery of Ireland, the National Library of Ireland, the Irish Museum of Modern Art and at a number of regions throughout the country as well as other State buildings such as Government buildings. Obviously, as is the case internationally, it is not possible to display all the paintings and artefacts at one time. However, the National Gallery and the National Museum continually rotate their collections on a regular basis to ensure maximum possible public interest.