Máirín Quill
Ceist:11 Miss Quill asked the Minister for the Environment if he will raise the percentage limit of 1 per cent allocated to the creation of works of art; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Works of Art Creation.
Máirín Quill
Ceist:32 Miss Quill asked the Minister for the Environment if, after ten years of optional operations of the scheme whereby 1 per cent of the overall cost of public building projects may be allocated to the creation of works of art, he will place it on a mandatory basis; the number of works which have been initiated as a result of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 32 together. I refer to the reply given by the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht to Question No. 25 of 9 March 1993 in relation to the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government that 1 per cent of the budget for capital projects being undertaken by local authorities should be spent on artistic embellishment. I have no proposals to increase the percentage limit.
Information is not readily available in my Department in relation to the number of works initiated as a result of the scheme which has been in operation since July 1986. Ministerial approval is not required for the award of contracts by local authorities for artistic features.
It is very disappointing to learn that we do not know exactly what has been the result of that scheme. Being somewhat parochial I should say our experience in Dún Laoghaire — where we endeavour to ensure works of art are integrated in municipal buildings, such as our fine new courthouse and so on — has been encouraging. Would the Minister agree that it is something deserving attention, not alone because we should encourage our artists in their work but, as we like to have environmental issues considered vis-à-vis all aspects of our lives, that the marrying of artistic and environmental matters is most appropriate?
With regard to Deputy Quill's second question, would the Minister not agree that it would not be unreasonable to make the scheme mandatory and ascertain its result?
There are two basic problems about that. First, let me say that I did not indicate to this House that I was unaware of what was going on. I was asked specifically for the number of projects initiated. Since it is local democracy, local authorities, who decide these matters, without reference to me for sanction — about which I am delighted and to see that all of that is flourishing — I am not aware of the number. Of course, I am very much aware of the artistic merit of the sculptural projects which have enhanced these sites. I am very glad that 1 per cent of the overall capital cost is available to allow such projects to proceed. It is an extraordinary move by the Progressive Democrats to call for these schemes to be mandatory. First and foremost, that would mean that every local authority project would have to incorporate one, even if it be a single house in a rural area——
Some element of discretion.
When one begins to examine that aspect — take the example of a sewerage scheme which is partly underground and cannot be seen — one realises one has to be sensible about this. There are some very nice schemes developed by local authorities. Let us put as much resources as we can into their profile and their added artistic merit. Let us not have the nonsense of imposing mandatory schemes in respect of everything local authorities do. I am quite sure the Deputy will appreciate, as I do, that of all the demands she is making of me — were I to submit to undertake the others — then I would not have any money available to fund even the voluntary ones going ahead.
I find it extraordinary that the Minister is not in a position to give this House some indication of the take-up of these schemes. Would he inform us approximately what percentage of schemes have actually availed of this option? In addition, could he give us some indication of the total expenditure thereon to date?
I would not have that information available to me at present. I could endeavour to ascertain it by a fairly tedious process, by consulting all local authorities nationwide, inquiring what they are doing in these matters. But that would run totally counter to the other demands being made on me to endeavour to delegate to local authorities more functions while, at the same time, be expected to have the day-to-day returns from local authorities on all of these matters. I will go as far as I can on a general basis to inform the Deputy in regard to what is involved. I might add that most of the major schemes undertaken, on roads and sanitary services, encompass some artistic element.