Written Answers Nos. 2801-2820
2801. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the need for the arm's-length principle to be upheld and assured; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32848/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe arm's-length principle operates on the basis of a framework of accountability for the provision of State services, whereby the Oireachtas legislates for the establishment of State bodies to deliver specific public services in accordance with their stated remit. Decisions of these bodies are a matter for their boards and executives. The bodies, in turn, operate within a policy framework laid down by Government Departments and are accountable to Departments and the Oireachtas for ensuring sound financial management of public funds, including value for money for the tax payer.
These principles are set out in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies which requires the establishment of Oversight Agreements and Performance Delivery Agreements. Arrangements relating to each individual body vary in accordance with those agreements as well as any specific legislative provisions. For example, the Arts Act 2003 specifically states that decisions in relation to funding are a matter for the Arts Council.
2802. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of the recent engagement by Galway 2020 of a British consultant to advise the Galway European City of Culture 2020 team; the duration of the contract; the remuneration in respect of the contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32866/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2816. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of the appointment by Galway 2020 of a business engagement manager; the terms of the contract; the value of the contract; the penalty clauses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33239/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2817. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a new business engagement manager has been appointed to Galway 2020; if so, the details of the contract; if not, when the vacancy will be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33240/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2818. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number and value of all salaries paid to staff and-or consultants to date in relation to Galway 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33241/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2802 and 2816 to 2818, inclusive, together.
Galway 2020 recently engaged Martin Green CBE, an experienced practitioner in the sphere of cultural programme development and delivery, to work with the members of the company for a period of approximately four weeks to identify the key cultural leadership requirements as Galway 2020 moves into the delivery phase of the programme. He has been engaged to share his experience and knowledge of delivering a very successful UK Capital of Culture in Hull in 2017 and the opening ceremony of the London Olympics 2012.
As the Deputy will understand, the hiring practices, details of employment contract and staff salaries paid by Galway 2020 are a matter for the Board of Galway 2020.
2803. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the allocation to the National Archives in capital and current spending in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32998/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe allocation to the National Archives of Ireland for both capital and current spending for years 2016, 2017 and 2018 is as set out in the following table:
|
Year |
Current |
Capital |
Total - Grant |
|
2016 |
€ 1,165,000 |
€351,000 |
€1,516,000 |
|
2017 |
€ 1,215,000 |
€351,000 |
€1,566,000 |
|
2018 |
€ 1,265,000 |
€351,000 |
€ 1,616,000 |
Note: The National Archives also received current payments to match resources generated by the National Archives. (€40K for each year between 2016-2018).
The National Archives also received additional funding from the Department in 2016 and 2017 for specific projects or initiatives as set out in the following table:
|
Year |
Current |
Capital |
Total – Other funding |
|
2016 |
- |
€198,000 |
€198,000 |
|
2017 |
- |
- |
- |
As the National Archives is part of my Department, the pay for National Archives staff is met from the Administrative Budget of my Department.
I welcome the contribution of the National Archives makes to the preservation, restoration, arrangement and description of archives in their custody.
2804. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the allocation to the National Museum of Ireland in capital and current spending in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32999/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe allocation to the National Museum of Ireland for both capital and current spending for years 2016, 2017 and 2018 is as set out in the following table:
|
Year |
Current |
Capital |
Total - Grant |
|
2016 |
€11,162,000 |
€958,000 |
€12,120,000 |
|
2017 |
€11,773,000 |
€1,108,000 |
€12,881,000 |
|
2018 |
€12,438,000 |
€1,108,000 |
€13,546,000 |
The National Museum of Ireland also received additional state funding in 2016 and 2017 for specific projects or initiatives as set out in the following table:
|
Year |
Current |
Capital |
Total – Other funding |
|
2016 |
€262,324 |
€445,000 |
€707,324 |
|
2017 |
nil |
€374,138 |
€374,138 |
2805. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the allocation to the National Library of Ireland in capital and current spending in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33000/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe allocation to the National Library of Ireland for both capital and current spending for years 2016, 2017 and 2018 is as set out in the following table:
|
Year |
Current |
Capital |
Total - Grant |
|
2016 |
€6,516,000 |
€428,000 |
€6,944,000 |
|
2017 |
€6,815,000 |
€478,000 |
€7,293,000 |
|
2018 |
€7,085,000 |
€478,000 |
€7,563,000 |
The National Library of Ireland also received additional funding from the Department in 2016 and 2017 for specific projects or initiatives as set out in the following table:
|
Year |
Current |
Capital |
Total – Other funding |
|
2016 |
- |
€817,029 |
€817,029 |
|
2017 |
- |
€1,022,831 |
€1,022,831 |
I welcome the contribution of the National Library of Ireland to collect, preserve, promote and make accessible the documentary and intellectual record of the life of Ireland.
2806. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the allocation to the National Gallery of Ireland in capital and current spending in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33001/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Gallery of Ireland (NGI) houses the national collection of historic Irish and European fine art and is also home to the National Portrait Collection. In 2017, the Gallery achieved the landmark of welcoming over 1 million visitors.
Funding for the National Gallery of Ireland is provided through the annual estimates process.
National Gallery of Ireland funding 2016-2018 (subhead A13)
|
Year |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
2016 |
6,778,000 |
858,000 |
7,636,000 |
|
2017 |
8,536,000 |
858,000 |
9,394,000 |
|
2018 (allocation) |
9,144,000 |
858,000 |
10,002,000 |
The Gallery received current spending allocation increases of €1,758,000 in 2017 and €608,000 in 2018 to provide for expanded services arising from the increased visitor numbers following the re-opening of the historic wings of the Gallery
The National Gallery of Ireland also received additional funding from the Department in 2016 and 2017 for specific projects or initiatives as set out in the following table:
|
Year |
Current |
Capital |
Total – Other funding |
|
2016 |
151,000 |
290,000 |
441,000 |
|
2017 |
|
530,540 |
530,540 |
2807. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta ar leanúint ó Cheist Pharlaiminte Uimh. 600 an 11 Iúil 2018, an breithiúnas cúirte é; ar tugadh dúshlán dó; an dtacaíonn sí leis; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [33012/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuigtear dom, nuair a bhí na forais trasteorainn á gcur ar bun, go ndearna na geallshealbhóirí cuí breithiúnas ar an tionchar a d'imreodh gach ceann acu sa dá dhlínse roimh theacht ar chomhaontú maidir leis na rátaí comhaoinithe dóibh.
Tacaíonn mo Roinn leis na buiséid atá á gceadú ag an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas d'Fhoras na Gaeilge ar chóimheas 75:25 ón chéad lá ar an bhunús sin.
2808. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to concerns in relation to Galway City of Culture 2020; the steps she has taken in relation to these concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33161/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of recent commentary in relation to Galway 2020. My Department officials continue to work and support the Galway 2020 Company and its Board with the preparations for delivery of the programme "Making Waves" during 2020.
My Department is represented on the Board of Galway 2020 by Mr Declan McGonagle, who reports to the Department on the work of the Board to deliver the Galway 2020 programme on a regular basis and I am confident that the Board and staff of Galway 2020 are working hard to deliver a great European City of Culture.
2809. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the cost per school of the artists in schools pilot project under the Creative Ireland programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33170/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2810. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the estimated cost of rolling out the creative schools programme to all primary and post-primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33233/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2809 and 2810 together.
The “Artists in Schools” pilot project referred to by the Deputy is the "Creative Schools pilot" and is one of the key initiatives of the Creative Youth Plan, an initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme, led by the Arts Council in collaboration with and funded by my Department and the Department of Education and Skills.
Following an open application process, 150 schools were selected for the pilot in the school year 2018/19. These schools have approximately 38,000 pupils. There are a diverse range of school types involved, in different parts of the country, rural and urban, primary and post primary, DEIS schools, special schools, and Youthreach centres.
Schools who participate in the pilot will work with artists, creative practitioners and educators to develop their own unique programme of arts and creative work, connecting them to the full range of local and regional cultural resources and opportunities. In addition, all schools will also receive a further range of supports including a once-off grant of €2,000.
The grant and the cost of the Creative Associate expertise per school for the coming academic year ranges from €4,100 to €5,211, dependent on the school size. The total cost of the programme is €1m. This cost covers the costs of Creative Associates, grants to schools, management, training and recruitment costs.
Through this pilot programme the creativity of children and young people across the country will be enabled. Students will be directly connected to artists and to the arts within their own communities and nationally. A direct, long term connection will be created between these students and the creative, cultural and artistic resources of the state, now and into their future.
This is a pilot initiative and therefore both impact and costs of this model will be reviewed before we can estimate the costs for the roll-out to all schools.
2811. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 21 of 21 June 2018, the date on which the performance delivery agreement in relation to the contribution of €15 million by her Department to Galway 2020 is expected to be finalised; the details of the agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33234/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2812. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the detail of all moneys drawn down by and advanced to Galway 2020 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33235/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2813. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the provision of €15 million by her Department to Galway 2020 is contingent on funding secured from other sources; if so, the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33236/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2814. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the value of the contribution by the EU to the Galway 2020 project; if the provision of these moneys is contingent on funding secured from other sources; if so, the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33237/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2820. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of the funding from other sources in relation to Galway 2020 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33243/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2822. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the shortfall in funding for Galway 2020 of €5.45 million in 2017 and €5.08 million to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33245/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2823. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the breakdown of the €5.49 million budget in respect of marketing for Galway 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33246/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2811 to 2814, inclusive, 2820, 2822 and 2823 together.
In December 2014 the Government decided that Ireland should exercise its right to nominate a European Capital of Culture for 2020 and committed in principle at that time to provide €15m to the selected project. Galway's designation as European Capital of Culture 2020, along with Rijeka, Croatia, is a great honour for Ireland and a wonderful opportunity to strengthen and promote our culture nationally and internationally.
The Government's support of €15m represents the largest single contribution to the overall cost of Galway 2020 as the European Capital of Culture. The Government's contribution is provided as part of a suite of co-funding arrangements to deliver the programme outlined by Galway 2020. The balance of the funding is sourced from city and county local authorities, and commitments from business and sponsorship. The EU Commission's award is €1.5m. Galway 2020, as part of its bid for the title of European Capital of Culture, also set out plans to apply for funding for projects under a number of EU programmes such as Creative Europe, Erasmus+, Europe for Citizens, Horizon 2020 and LIFE. At present, Galway 2020 aim for a total EU contribution of €3m to the programme.
As outlined in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 21 of 21 June 2018, my Department provided a first tranche of funding of €250,000 in December 2017 toward certified expenditure already incurred for Galway 2020. The audited accounts for 2017 for 'Galway Cultural Development and Activity Company Limited by Guarantee', the legal structure set up to undertake all the activities of Galway 2020, show total expenditure of €749,129 to end 2017 of which €229,132 was on salaries, €240,921 on overheads, including rent of €39,788 with the remaining €279,076 spent on programme costs.
The breakdown of specific budget items and planned expenditures for Galway 2020 are a matter for the Board of Galway 2020.
A performance delivery agreement for the provision of the balance of the €15m grant to be paid to Galway 2020 is currently being drawn up by officials of my Department in consultation with Galway 2020. The performance delivery agreement will address the roles and responsibilities of the Department and Galway 2020 in the provision and expenditure of the grant, as well as the key deliverables and performance indicators attached to the drawdown of the grant, and monitoring and reporting arrangements.
It is intended to finalise the agreement over the next two months.
2815. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is satisfied with the performance of the board of Galway 2020 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33238/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2819. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the recent comment by the chair of Galway 2020 that the event will tailor the programme to the private sector's needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33242/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2815 and 2819 together.
The Board of Galway 2020 is comprised of an experienced team of individuals with a wide range of skill sets, chaired by Dr. Aideen McGinley. My Department is represented on the Board by Mr. Declan McGonagle.
I am confident that the Board will oversee the delivery of an exciting and ambitious programme for Galway as European Capital of Culture in 2020, as well as the creation of a strong and lasting legacy to benefit the city, county, region and country.
