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Arts Council

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 February 2022

Thursday, 24 February 2022

Ceisteanna (17)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

17. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the current vacancies on the board of the Arts Council; the reason for these vacancies; when they will be filled; the process for filling these vacancies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10426/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There are six vacancies existing on the Board of the Arts Council at present. These vacancies arose from the mid-term resignation of one member at the end of 2020 and with the expiry of five members' terms at the end of 2021. Under the Arts Act 2003, there is a Chair and 12 ordinary members on the Board of the Arts Council, all appointed by the Minister for a period of five years.

The Public Appointments Service (PAS) has responsibility for putting in place an open, accessible, rigorous and transparent system to support Ministers in making appointments to State Boards

The vacancies in question were advertised openly on the State Boards portal www.stateboards.ie operated by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) on 15 September 2021. By the extended closing date on 13 October 2021 a total of 108 expressions of interest were received.

A PAS assessment panel was then set up to examine the applications received for appointment to the Board of the Arts Council. The Arts Council requires a skills mix that allows it to fulfil its statutory functions under Section 11 (1) of the Arts Act. The panel identified sixteen candidates who met the specific criteria required of members of the Board of the Arts Council.

The Public Appointments Service has written to me and, following a period of careful consideration, I have now decided on the candidates that I am appointing to the Arts Council. Both successful and unsuccessful candidates are today being notified of the outcome of the process. I have treated this decision with the utmost importance as I am aware that each appointee will serve on the board for a minimum of 5 years.

There is a statutory gender balance on the Arts Council. Section 11(7) of the Arts Act specifies that of the members of the Council, not less than 6 of them shall be men and not less than 6 of them shall be women. This is in line with the Government’s target of at least 40% for representation of each gender on State Boards.

There is an Information Booklet Archive on the stateboards.ie website where previous Information Booklets can be found including that published for the Arts Council.

There is also information published on the Arts Council website including the minutes of the Council’s plenary meetings.

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