Written Answers Nos. 668-675
668. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the way in which the capital investment in national cultural institutions promised under Project Ireland 2040 will be managed; the person or body which will manage same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43496/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCapital projects undertaken by bodies under the aegis of my Department are appraised, planned, designed, implemented and evaluated in line with the Public Spending Code and best practice guidance outlined in the Capital Works Management Framework published by the Office of Government Procurement.
Under the Public Spending Code, the public body with appraising, planning and managing a public investment project, including seeking and receiving the necessary approvals, is considered the sponsoring agency. Each National Cultural Institution (NCI) will be considered to be the sponsoring agency for their individual investment project. Under the Code, the public body with the responsibility for granting approvals at each stage of the project life-cycle and for dispersing public monies for the project is the sanctioning authority. My Department is, in the first instance, the sanctioning authority for all capital expenditure on the NCIs as part of Project Ireland 2040.
Given their expertise and the vital role that they play as stewards of many of the buildings that house our NCIs, the Office of Public Works (OPW) will act as the contracting authority in a number of the capital projects. For example, the OPW are fulfilling the role of contracting authority in the on-going project currently being undertaken the National Library of Ireland.
To ensure that all projects under the NCI programme are delivered effectively, and in recognition of the important partnership between the NCI and the OPW, tripartite governance arrangements are put in place to facilitate the progression of the project through the project life-cycle. These align closely with the governance and oversight arrangements set out in the Public Spending Code.
669. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the level of engagement between her Department and the OPW on capital investment projects in the national cultural institutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43497/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works (OPW) plays an important role, in partnership with our National Cultural Institutions (NCIs), as stewards and custodians of many of the buildings in which our NCIs are housed. Section 70 of the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 provides that the OPW have a specified role with regards to the maintenance, upkeep, repair, renovation and improvement of premises occupied by the National Library and the National Museum.
Given the role of the OPW in the NCIs, and given their expertise in building maintenance, construction and redevelopment, they are fulfilling the role of contracting authority in a number of capital investment projects in the NCIs. Officials from my Department work with the OPW and NCIs through the governance arrangements established to facilitate the progression of individual projects.
To ensure coherence and programme level oversight, and to facilitate planning across the whole NCI capital investment programme, my officials and OPW officials also liaise frequently through monitoring and working groups.
670. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of days each of the national cultural institutions was closed to the public, or portions were closed to the public in 2018 and to date in 2019 due to health and safety concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43498/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table sets out the days on which National Cultural Institutions were closed or partially closed due to health and safety concerns:
|
National Cultural Institution |
2018 and Reason for Closure |
2019 and Reason for Closure |
|
Chester Beatty Library (CBL) |
1 Day for Health & Safety concern |
Not Applicable |
|
Crawford Art Gallery (CAG) |
Partial Closure - Individual galleries were closed to public due to health and safety reasons on 2 occasions |
Partial Closure - Individual galleries were closed to the public due to health and safety reason on 1 occasion |
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
Not Applicable |
Not Applicable |
|
National Concert Hall |
Not Applicable |
Not Applicable |
|
National Library of Ireland (NLI) |
Partial Closure - National Photographic Archive (NPA) only due to erection of scaffolding for 2 occasions |
Not Applicable |
|
National Gallery of Ireland (NGI) |
Not Applicable |
Partial Closure - NGI was partially closed (Dargan and Milltown wings only) from the 28th May to 10th September 2019 due to a lighting installation issue. The Millennium wing and Beit wing remained open to the public. |
|
National Archives |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
Partial Closure - NMI Decorative Arts & History closed one hour early due to Papal Mass - Garda Recommendation |
Partial Closure - NMI Kildare St. Fadden More Psalter Gallery closed for half a day due to heavy rainfall, water egress into gallery space |
|
Partial Closure - NMI Natural History Museum closed for half a day due to branch of tree hanging precariously adjacent to entrance to Museum to facilitate its removal |
Partial Closure - NMI Kildare St. - section of the Medieval Gallery closed on one afternoon due to water egress into gallery space following heavy rain. |
|
|
Partial Closure - NMI Natural History Museum two upper floor balconies due to lack of fire exits and health and safety concerns. All of 2018 and to date in 2019 |
Partial Closure - NMI Natural History Museum First Floor closed for one day due to heavy rainfall, water egress through roof onto first floor |
There have also been closures due to weather warnings.
These matters are day to day operational matters for each of the National Cultural Institutions under my auspices.
671. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the breakdown of visitor numbers to each of the national cultural institutions in each of the years 2010 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43499/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table sets out the visitor numbers for each National Cultural Institution from 2010 to 2018 and to date in 2019.
|
Visitor Figures 2010-2019 |
||||||||||
|
NCI |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
Jan - Sep 2019 |
|
CBL |
206,653 |
247,729 |
255,704 |
250,659 |
304,119 |
343,929 |
371,211 |
335,875 |
349,516 |
293,357 |
|
CAG |
188,823 |
187,311 |
190,217 |
177,409 |
163,887 |
175,902 |
178,302 |
188,814 |
230,989 |
199,017 |
|
IMMA |
418,977 |
362,955 |
63,642 |
121,221 |
306,662 |
485,702 |
584,856 |
489,295 |
505,891 |
379,819 |
|
NCH |
318,667 |
293,639 |
322,222 |
315,508 |
329,659 |
321,585 |
312,339 |
316,497 |
299,643 |
223,643 |
|
NMI |
992,953 |
1,096,027 |
1,071,193 |
1,039,137 |
1,099,581 |
1,211,244 |
1,315,776 |
1,161,495 |
1,127,999 |
1,029,193 |
|
NLI |
189,882 |
206,342 |
181,152 |
260,152 |
270,394 |
248,836 |
247,242 |
197,245 |
237,229 |
208,841 |
|
NGI |
736,855 |
624,412 |
660,486 |
640,824 |
593,183 |
718,637 |
755,577 |
1,065,929 |
775,301 |
573,968 |
|
NAI |
15,242 |
13,907 |
13,576 |
12,987 |
11,725 |
11,815 |
8,746 |
9,152 |
8,498 |
7,546 |
|
Total |
3,068,052 |
3,032,322 |
2,758,192 |
2,817,897 |
3,079,210 |
3,517,650 |
3,774,049 |
3,764,302 |
3,535,066 |
2,915,384 |
* IMMA partly closed for refurbishment
CBL = Chester Beatty Library
CAG = Crawford Art Gallery
IMMA = Irish Museum of Modern Art
NCH = National Concert Hall
NMI = National Museum of Ireland
NLI = National Library of Ireland
NGI = National Gallery of Ireland
The level of visitor numbers to the national cultural institutions is a testament to the varied and engaging programmes prepared by each of them. However, I am conscious of the need for investment in our national cultural institutions to ensure that they can accommodate the many visitors who wish to engage with our national collections and programmes. As part of Project Ireland 2040 a total of €460 million will be invested in our institutions to address long standing infrastructural problems and to bring them up to 21st century international standards.
672. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the expansion of arts and capital culture scheme as announced under Project Ireland 2040; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43500/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraProject Ireland 2040 has given explicit recognition to the importance of our culture, language and heritage. Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018-2027 sets out the Government’s objectives for capital investment in Ireland’s culture, language and heritage. The plan includes a total of €40 million, or €4 million in each of the 10 years from 2018 to 2027 to secure existing investment in arts and culture infrastructure nationwide and ensure a regional balance. A total of €3.9m was spent on arts and culture infrastructure in 2018. This level of investment will ensure the upkeep of regional infrastructure right across the country.
The recent Arts and Culture Capital Scheme allocated €10.214m to 134 projects under three complementary grant streams for the refurbishment and enhancement of the existing arts and culture facilities throughout the country. Over €2.5m of this was drawn down in 2018 and to date in 2019 and over €7.2m remains to be paid out over the coming years. This is the most significant investment in cultural infrastructure in a decade with funding provided to arts centres, theatres, galleries and museums, artists’ studios and creative spaces. The list of these projects with the amounts of their allocations is available on my Department’s website.
The Arts and Culture Capital Scheme is making a huge difference to many individual organisations and my Department is already seeing good outcomes and receiving positive feedback.
The Arts Council in conjunction with local government through the County and City Management Association recently commissioned CHL Consulting Company to undertake an independent, strategic review of the network of venues and arts centres across the country. The review focused on the infrastructure of professionally-managed arts buildings that are open to the public throughout the year. A consultation phase was incorporated into the study and stakeholders had an opportunity to participate. The resulting Review of Arts Centres and Venues provided a valuable input to develop a coordinated, spatially-informed strategy to support and develop the built infrastructure for the arts. The Review was published in June 2019. The Arts Council subsequently published its Arts Centre Policy which sets out its funding criteria for arts centres from 2020 onwards.
My Department is currently giving consideration to a new round of grant funding for Arts and Cultural Capital and the reviews have informed the Department's framing for the next round of arts and culture capital funding. I hope to announce a new scheme for capital grants in the very near future.
673. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding allocated and spent of the €1.188 million announced under the heading Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018 – 2027 in Project Ireland 2040; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43501/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver the period 2018 to 2027, my Department will invest nearly €1.2 billion in capital expenditure as part of Project Ireland 2040 - the National Development Plan. To direct this investment, my Department has developed a detailed sectorial investment plan, Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage, which sets the high-level, strategic capital investment priorities for the Department to 2027. The investment plan sets out three strands of activity, capital investment and infrastructure programmes, capital grant schemes and major capital projects, across the following programme areas:
- €725 million towards enhancing our cultural infrastructure, incorporating,
- A €460 million investment in our National Cultural Institutions and,
- €265 million for a national Culture and Creativity Investment Programme;
- €285 million towards a heritage investment programme; and,
- €178 million towards investment in our language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands.
All capital expenditure allocated to and incurred by my Department is dedicated to advancing Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage .
Capital expenditure incurred in 2018 included €3.9 million for local arts and cultural infrastructure, €7 million for our National Cultural Institutions, €7.9 million for our historic environment (incorporating capital expenditure by Waterways Ireland and the Heritage Council), and a €7.6 million investment by Údarás na Gaeltachta to create and maintain jobs.
Capital expenditure incurred in 2019 to end-September has been used to progress some key initiatives under Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage , including, to date, €11 million towards investment to support the Audio Visual sector (through Screen Ireland), €2.8 million towards investment in local arts and cultural infrastructure, nearly €2.4 million towards supporting Galway 2020 European City of Culture, and €7.3 million towards investment by Údarás na Gaeltachta in job creation.
The following table indicates the capital allocation provided to my Department under the Revised Estimates 2018 and Further Revised Estimates 2019 and the capital out-turn.
|
Capital Allocation (Revised Estimates 2018) |
Capital Out-turn 2018 |
|
€54.3m (+ €0.7m capital carryover) |
€54.131m |
|
Capital Allocation (Further Revised Estimates 2019) |
Capital Out-turn (to end-September 2019) |
|
€73.8m (+ €0.7m capital carryover) |
€38.756m* |
*this figure is provisional as all expenditure within the Department's Vote is subject to an ongoing internal verification and monitoring process to ensure the best use of available financial resources. Adjustments may fall to be made between subheads as part of this process and all figures are subject to audit by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
674. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the way in which the decision to move the National Symphony Orchestra to the National Concert Hall was made; the reason this course was preferred over establishing the National Symphony Orchestra as a national cultural institution in its own right; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43512/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, RTÉ commissioned a report from independent consultants Helen Boaden and Mediatique on the RTÉ Orchestras entitled RTÉ Orchestras Ensuring a Sustainable Future. The Report made a number of recommendations including that the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) be a national cultural institution in its own right or within the National Concert Hall (NCH).
My Department, the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, the National Concert Hall and RTÉ considered the Report and were all of the view that the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra should come within the remit of the National Concert Hall and should not be established as a separate body.
The Government agreed in principle that the NSO should come within the remit of the National Concert Hall . The Government also authorised the initiation of discussions on the implementation of the recommendations of the Boaden report.
The main reasons for this are as follows:
- The NSO has been located in the NCH since it opened in 1981 and it provides the backbone to the Hall's orchestral music programme.
- To the public at large the NCH and the NSO are already intrinsically linked and the aims of both are entirely compatible.
- The recently announced capital investment plan for the NCH includes enhanced and additional facilities for the NSO, incorporating a dedicated rehearsal studio.
- The support services for an orchestra and a concert hall significantly overlap: programming, education and outreach, finance, operations, marketing and communications, personnel, and fundraising.
- Finally a combined creative and imaginative overall programme strategy will greatly enhance the offering of both organisations to the public.
675. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the legislative changes proposed to the National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Act 2015 to reflect the decision to move the National Symphony Orchestra under the remit of the National Concert Hall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43513/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the publication of the report by RTÉ that it commissioned from independent consultants Helen Boaden and Mediatique on the RTÉ Orchestras entitled RTÉ Orchestras Ensuring a Sustainable Future, the Government agreed in principle that the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) should come within the remit of the National Concert Hall (NCH), and authorised the initiation of discussions on the implementation of the recommendations of the report.
Work is continuing to identify and address the relevant issues to enable a successful transfer. This work includes consideration of the amendments that may be necessary to the National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Act 2015 to provide a legal basis for the transfer of the RTE NSO. I would expect that that aspect of the work will be completed by the end of the year.
