Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 6 May 1998

Vol. 490 No. 5

Written Answers. - Departmental Appointments.

Nora Owen

Ceist:

256 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the number of committees, expert groups, outside agencies and study groups she has set up since July 1997; the topic each group is examining; the number of members in each group; when each group is due to report; and the costs, if any, associated with each group. [10695/98]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

The following formal task forces and working groups have been set up under the aegis of my Department since July 1997.

A working group on the establishment of an academy for the performing arts, including a conservatoire in Dublin was established in March of this year jointly by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, and the Islands and the Minister for Education, Deputy Martin. The working group will report to both Ministers on the steps necessary to establish the academy.

The terms of reference include making proposals on the scope of the academy, identifying the ongoing cost and staffing implications of the establishment of the academy, reporting on the appropriateness and the suitability of the existing buildings at Earlsfort Terrace for accommodating the academy, identifying the potential for non-Exchequer funding for part of the capital costs, examining the financial implications of relocating the current educational facilities housed in Earlsfort Terrace, the timescale for such relocation, and the likely agreement of all interested parties in the relocation.

The group comprises 11 members including a chairman and is due to report at an early date. No significant costs are anticipated arising from the establishment of the group at this stage.

An interdepartmental working group has been established to co-ordinate the development of specific policy proposals and actions in the context of the policy statement on architecture adopted by Government. The working group is chaired by the principal architect, Office of Public Works, and has seven members. The working group will identify an initial set of key issues to be addressed and will report to me within 12 months. No significant costs are expected to arise from the establishment of this group.

The task force for the Grand and Royal Canals was re-established in March 1998 under the chairmanship of Mr. Pat Magner. The terms of reference of the task force are to co-ordinate and monitor the activities of the various agencies responsible for the development of the canal corridor, and to provide the necessary impetus for the implementation of the strategy and proposals in the consultants reports entitled Grand Canal Corridor Study, and Royal Canal Corridor Study.

The membership of the task force is restricted to those public agencies involved in the canal corridors, including my own Department, the local authorities and the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation, and the Department of Environment and Local Government. Currently the task force has a membership of ten including its chairman. The task force will submit an annual report to me in each of the next three years. Secretarial services and the use of a conference room are provided by my Department. No significant costs are expected to arise as a result of the reestablishment of this task force.

The Interdepartmental Committee on the Islands, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Language will co-ordinate the implementation of Government policy with regard to the offshore islands, the Gaeltacht and the Irish language, seek to ensure that this policy is implemented in an effective manner, and review the provision of services to offshore islands and Gaeltacht regions by Government Departments and State agencies and where duplication occurs rationalise these services by consultation and agreement.

Each Government Department was asked to nominate a representative to the committee. The secretarial services are provided from my Department's offices in na Forbacha, Gaillimh and the committee which is chaired by Minister of State, Deputy Ó Cuív, will meet on a regular basis. No significant costs are expected to arise as a result of the establishment of this committee.

In addition to the above I recently announced the establishment of an Appeals Board, under the chairmanship of Mr. Michael Mills, the former Ombudsman and local liaison committees as part of the arrangements for implementing the provisions of the EU Habitats Directive which requires the designation of special areas of conservation. The Appeals Board and the liaison committees are in the process of being established.

I will announce shortly a think tank on the film industry.