Micheál Martin
Ceist:52 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for the Environment whether he will require all local authorities to appoint an arts officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Appointment of Arts Officers.
Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:131 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for the Environment if his negotiations with local authorities to require them to produce a cultural development plan and appoint arts officers have been successful.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 131 together.
Arts officers have been appointed by fourteen of the major local authorities and arrangements are currently being made for the filling of such posts in a further two. While the creation and filling of such posts is a matter for the local authorities in the first instance, my Department is pursuing the question of creating such posts in the remaining major authorities, in consultation with the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht. Consultations are also taking place between the two Departments regarding the implementation of the provision in the Programme for a Partnership Government in relation to cultural development plans. Local authorities will be advised on the matter in due course.