Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Feb 1994

Vol. 438 No. 5

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Artistic Embellishment Scheme.

Máirín Quill

Ceist:

19 Miss Quill asked the Minister for the Environment if, in relation to the scheme whereby local authorities may include in the capital cost of public works a sum not exceeding 1 per cent of the cost or alternatively £20,000 for an appropriate artistic embellishment, the Government intends to make this scheme mandatory; the meetings, if any, that have taken place between officials of his Department and officials of the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht; the outcome of any such discussions; and the changes in the scheme, if any, as a result of these discussions.

Mr. M. Smith

Consultations have taken place between my Department and the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht regarding the provision in the Programme for a Partnership Government in relation to the artistic embellishment scheme. I am now considering how best the existing scheme can be modified. I hope to be in a position to advise local authorities of new arrangements before very long.

Miss Quill

What progress has been made during the past 12 months bearing in mind the proven capacity of this scheme not alone to generate badly needed jobs for artists — many of whom are graduates from our art colleges — but for the benefit of the general public in having important works of art brought out into the community? What progress has been made to implement the promise made in the Programme for a Partnership Government?

Mr. M. Smith

I agree with Deputy Quill that the scheme is worthwhile from a number of points of view. It was slow to get off the ground but in the past couple of years the take-up has improved considerably. I am sure the Deputy is familiar with a number of the new projects which have been designed and put in place recently. Approximately £750,000 has been invested in the artistic embellishment scheme but I propose to make a number of important changes. I thought that the original requirement to locate the artistic element on the particular site, such as the roadway or wherever, was inappropriate and that we should seek a place in a town or village where there would be facilities to view it as distinct from racing by at 70 miles per hour. I have been in consultation with my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, in regard to a number of important changes and we hope to make further progress. I am delighted there is considerable interest in the scheme.

Miss Quill

I thank the Minister for his reply. Is it proposed to extend the current limit of £20,000, which is particularly low, in relation to major schemes such as the underwater tunnel in Cork? If the ceiling were lifted and if 1 per cent of the overall cost of that project could be used for artistic embellishment, it would create an enormous amount of work and make a major difference to the artistic life of Cork city. Is it proposed to make the scheme mandatory, bearing in mind that as of now a number of local authorities make little or no use of the scheme?

Mr. M. Smith

It is essential that we have a broader response to that scheme. Some local authorities are making good use of the scheme while others are slow to avail of it. So far the ceiling has not presented a problem. Admittedly some adjustment may be made in a major scheme but that would probably have to be compensated for, at the other end, in smaller schemes. Even though the sum involved is only 1 per cent, every 1 per cent counts when there is pressure to provide a group water scheme or some other alternative when choices have to be made. I am anxious to ensure that the scheme develops and I will facilitate a number of important changes. I will look at the overall question of limits in particular cases — I do not wish to indicate that it would be open to all cases — when these are brought to my notice.

Miss Quill

With what groups is the Minister in consultation to assist him in putting in place the changes he has outlined?

Mr. M. Smith

Apart from consultation with my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, the others came to notice in relation to the existing scheme. On one occasion I was asked to approve a scheme which was hidden away in a small housing estate and I thought it appropriate that it be moved to the centre of a town. Accidentally I began to review the scheme.

Mr. Connor

With the artistic embellishment scheme goes the appointment of arts officers to local authorities. What contribution has the Minister made to the local authorities on the appointment of arts officers? Many local authorities, such as Roscommon County Council, have had a proposal for the appointment of such an officer. This year we had to defer appointment because regrettably the rates support grants which the Minister gave to our local authority, and many others, fell far short of what we needed. There may be other areas which the Minsiter supported. Does the Minister wish to support the appointment of these arts officers?

Mr. M. Smith

I am mindful of the pressure I am under from Fine Gael to reduce public expenditure. A question has been tabled by another Deputy on that matter.