Vol. 455 No. 5
10 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the consultations, if any, there have been with the Department of the Environment in relation to the full implementation of the 1 per cent arts scheme in each local authority area in Ireland. [4687/95]
47 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the composition of the steering committee set up in 1994 to consider policies and practice in public art in Ireland. [9896/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 47 together.
Arising from consultations I have had with the Minister for the Environment in relation to the implementation of the 1 per cent arts scheme, a public art research project is now under way.
A steering committee to oversee, monitor and advance the project is chaired by the Department of the Environment and has representation from my Department, An Chomhairle Ealaíon, Temple Bar Properties and the Office of Public Works.
The steering committee decided to appoint consultants to prepare a report advising the committee on the approach that should be taken in the development of a more effective strategy in the promotion of art in the public sector for use by public authorities in commissioning art.
The timeframe for the project is six months from the date of appointment of consultants, which was May 26 last.
I acknowledge that much progress has been made in the development of this scheme since I first raised this question approximately a year ago. Will the Minister confirm that the scheme is a key element in achieving the objectives of the arts plan in that nothing could be more area-based than the proper implementation of the scheme? When the findings of the steering committee become available, will the Minister have further consultations with the local authorities to ensure they are in a position to implement the scheme fully? If that is done, not alone will each area benefit from it but artists and people working in the arts sector will benefit from the work that will derive from the scheme.
I appreciate Deputy Quill has raised questions on this issue in the past and that she has a keen interest in it, as do other Deputies. I have referred to the matters about which we can be definite. I have outlined the membership of the steering committee which will be chaired by the Department of the Environment and will include representation from my Department, An Chomhairle Ealaíon, Temple Bar Properties and the Office of Public Works. The committee will report within six months from 26 May. The cost of this consultancy study is approximately £32,000 and it will be shared between the various Departments and bodies represented on it. When the committee makes its report we will then have to put in place a strategy of action. That will provide the Minister for the Environment and myself an opportunity to see how this can be done.
It is important to realise that in a scheme such as this, as in every other area of arts and culture activity, the more goodwill that emanates from local authorities, the better. Some local authorities are doing very well in this regard, others are resisting. It must be said that some local authorities and local authority management structures require a change of attitude. It is the desire of the Government to make this scheme work. I may have to consider, in my consultations with the Minister for the Environment, whether we might have to introduce a more compulsory scheme. However, the objective is to put in place a worthwhile scheme and perhaps the steering committee will be in a position to suggest some flexibilities that might be incorporated in it which will help us achieve the desired results.
I am aware that some local authorities requested permission to use part of their 1 per cent allocation for the arts scheme to fund an officer to advise them on the overall implementation of the scheme, which seemed sensible. In that regard I am referring to Cork. When I receive the report of the steering committee I will try to put a strategy for action in place in consultation with the Minister for the Environment.
I thank the Minister for his reply which gives me grounds for optimism. Did it occur to him to appoint a representative of the city or county managers to the steering committee so as to have them on side from day one?
I will consider that suggestion. The City and County Managers Association sometimes has a difficulty in nominating people for appointment to committees for the simple reason that such people are often quite busy and may have previously applied for a departmental scheme. I assure the Deputy that the best possible liaison will be maintained with the city and county managers so as to ensure the effectiveness of the scheme. In all of these matters we must construct a partnership to get things done.
Will the Minister, along with his colleague, the Minister for the Environment, consider requesting county managers to include in their Estimates for 1996 the 1 per cent allocation of funds to enable them implement the recommendations of the steering committee? I compliment the Minister on his approach and I hope his objectives will be achieved.
The question of the provision of funding for local authorities is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for the Environment. I am not sure whether we have already written to the local authorities. If we have not, I will certainly consider doing that. The 1 per cent arts scheme is an objective of this and the previous Government and it is important we receive support for its implementation from local representatives.
Will the steering committee examine the application or, in some cases, the lack of application of the 1 per cent arts scheme? What will be its remit? As I am sure the Minister is well aware, during times of cutbacks in local authority funding the arts are perceived by some as being a luxury rather than something that should be incorporated in day to day funding. Will the Minister ensure that funding allocated to local authorities for the arts is used for that purpose?
I will take the Deputy's questions in order. I said that one would wish to achieve our objectives through partnership without having to establish some type of compulsory scheme. The consultants will examine the outline of a possible strategy for use by public authorities to facilitate more effective promotion of the arts in the public sector. Those are the terms of reference of the committee.
The issue of earmarked funding raises major questions about the autonomy of practice of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment. This issue is debated regularly in the House and it is important for local authorities who have not yet appointed an arts officer to realise the seriousness of such an omission. The lack of the services of an arts officer is a major loss to a community. Such a position is vitally important as we seek to achieve our objectives. I am aware this scheme has the support of all parties in this House and we are trying to develop an outline strategy which will make things happen.
The Minister is aware that Clare County Council was the first local authority to appoint an arts officer and we are proud of that. I am sure we will be the first local authority to take a particular interest in the report of the steering committee.
I regularly acknowledge the innovation of County Clare.
There is modesty on both sides of the House.
