Vol. 444 No. 1
34 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment in regard to the commitment given in the Programme for Partnership Government 1993-1997, the number of local authorities which have so far appointed an arts officer and established an arts department; the number which have still to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The creation and filling of posts of arts officer and the establishment of arts departments are matters for the local authorities in the first instance. I understand that arts officers have now been appointed by 19 of the 24 major local authorities and that arrangements are currently being made for the filling of a post in one further authority. In addition, I understand that the function of promoting the arts in two other local authority areas has been assigned on a part-time basis to an existing officer of each of the local authorities concerned. Those local authorities who have not so far appointed an arts officer have recently been reminded by my Department of the commitment contained in the Programme for a Partnership Government to encourage such appointments. The Arts Council are prepared to fund 50 per cent of the pay costs of such posts in major local authorities generally, subject to agreement on job descriptions and terms and conditions of employment.
