Vol. 528 No. 3
29 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the main provisions of the proposed heritage fund Bill; if the heads of the Bill have yet been approved by Government; when publication is expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30001/00]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to a similar Parliamentary Question No. 139 on this topic on 14 Samhain 2000.
30 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands when she will conclude her consideration of submissions on the document Towards a New Framework for the Arts; when an arts Bill will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30000/00]
I have received more than 225 submissions in response to the discussion document Towards a New Framework for the Arts which I published and circulated as part of the review of arts legislation which I am currently carrying out.
As I stated in my reply to Questions Nos. 131 and 329 of 14 November 2000 an examination is being carried out on the submissions received to determine and record the issues raised and to analyse the overall trends in the submissions. This process is ongoing and I hope to have this phase of the evaluation process concluded by the end of this year. Its outcome will establish the need, if any, for more focused consultation with the sector to inform the development of a new legislative framework for the arts which I intend to introduce by way of an arts Bill in 2001.
