Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 May 2011
32 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if he has given any consideration yet to a commitment in the programme for Government to identify buildings in the National Asset Management Agency which could be used as suitable local arts and culture facilities. [10709/11]
Amharc ar fhreagra36 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if he has identified any buildings held by the National Asset Management Agency which may be suitable for cultural facilities. [10621/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 36 together.
The programme for Government contains the following commitment: "We will seek to capture some public good from NAMA by identifying buildings that have no commercial potential and which might be suitable as local facilities for art and culture". My Department recently wrote to NAMA requesting a meeting to discuss this commitment. Accordingly, until that meeting takes place and I can get some idea of the thinking within NAMA on this proposal, it is not possible to give a definitive answer on specific buildings.
I welcome the work the Minister has done in this regard by contacting NAMA. It is a very worthwhile venture. The Minister touched on this issue in his previous answer when he spoke of providing facilities for young people and trying to involve the younger generation in the arts and in the creation of art and culture. I welcome that he has made progress on this. When he has more information on this I ask him to let the House know the outcome of such contact.
When I was on the benches opposite, where Deputy Troy is now, I mentioned a few signature buildings in this city that might be suitable for this purpose so I hope to pursue what I spoke about now that I am in my present position. If the taxpayer were to see buildings that had been in NAMA being used for cultural purposes, by young people in particular, that would be a very welcome development.
Throughout the State local groups, including amateur dramatic and music groups, rehearse and prepare in dilapidated and inadequate facilities while brand new buildings lie idle. What criteria are being used to identify local groups which require new facilities? When does the Minister expect to get back the information?
Basically, we hope to have discussions with NAMA as soon as possible and we have written to it requesting it. I contacted NAMA directly in two cases in which buildings related to the arts were involved which are housing arts projects at present. NAMA seemed to be sympathetic. It was appointed by the House to get a return for the taxpayer.
However, one must consider social capital as well. There should be a social and cultural return and this may be equally as important as getting a good financial return. People should consider where NAMA buildings are located and whether they are available throughout the country so that communities can focus and put in place arrangements to try to acquire these for community purposes. It could lead to many possibilities. I thank the Deputy for the direction of her question. When I am speaking to the NAMA people I will bring this to their attention.
I agree with much of what the Minister has said about NAMA. Being involved in the industry myself, I am convinced most of the stuff with which NAMA is liable to flood the market will be sold at a good deal less than its real value. In the case of as much of the property as possible, whether for sports, cultural or residential purposes, the more that remains in State hands, the better for the country. Does the Minister agree that in many cases not only will there be arts and cultural benefits, but there will be a better return for the taxpayer as well given that much of what will be sold off will be bought by foreign investors at a knock-down price?
One must balance the financial return with the cultural and social capital that could materialise as a country if we acquired these buildings. This balance must be struck. I agree with the Deputy that we should keep an open mind on acquiring some of these buildings. However, we should acquire them for the right reason because any benefit to the country may be in the future rather than the present. We should weigh up the best use for them and determine who are the people to acquire these buildings where there is a local community demand. I realise the Deputy is a good community worker, he understands the relevance of acquiring a building that is in place and ready-made for a community and he understands the social capital that could be gained from this. In my discussions with NAMA I will emphasise this consideration and that it is not simply a matter of getting a monetary benefit. Other benefits might arise which could be of major use for the future of society, our communities and especially our young people.
Some community groups will have a particular interest in a NAMA building. Has the Minister put in place a process for how these can make an application to take ownership of such a building? If so, will the Minister advise the House of this process? Is there potential to get an economic return for NAMA with buildings in the case of aspiring artists who are finding it difficult to get venues or buildings in which to produce art? Is there another avenue we could explore to facilitate aspiring artists by allowing them into some buildings at a nominal rent for a small period to help them to get established?
It is appropriate for the Deputy to ask the question because I have been asking the same question myself recently. This is the next mechanism NAMA should put in place. It has acquired property and has gone through all the legal and logistical challenges up to now. Next, the conditions and procedures to encourage the type of project that could attract community involvement should be put in place. I am aware from my inquires to NAMA that it has not done this to date.
However, I am aware of several initiatives involving people who are interested in getting together as a community to do expressly what the Deputy is suggesting. I hope they can put together a package for community groups and that there will be a facility available to allow community groups to organise and get the resources together to acquire some of these properties, wherever they are in the country. Since the taxpayer owns them, there should be a public list of properties available from NAMA. This would be helpful and then people could decide what is appropriate for community involvement. That is the next stage. NAMA should consider the possibility of community involvement as well as waiting for investors to come in, as Deputy Wallace noted, to buy up the properties. NAMA should consider the community aspect as well.
I appreciate the Minister's stand and I believe we are on the same wavelength.
