Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 March 2012
320 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the projected annual savings from the proposed merger of the National Gallery, Irish Museum of Modern Art and the Crawford Gallery; how it is envisaged that these savings will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14305/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Deputy will be aware, the Government announced its Public Service Reform Plan on 17 November 2011. This included a new and expanded programme of State Agency rationalisations. Appendix IIA to that announcement set out a number of bodies to be rationalised, amalgamated or abolished in 2012, including, in respect of my Department, the following action: "Combine Irish Museum of Modern Art, Crawford Art Gallery and the National Gallery of Ireland, while retaining separate identities". My Department has commenced a detailed examination of the issues involved. The input of the institutions will be crucial in this examination. At this point, it is not yet possible to properly assess the issue of projected savings. The Deputy will appreciate that the pursuit of efficiencies and synergies are also some of the elements under consideration.
