Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 1 July 2025

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport

Arts Council Grant Management IT System: Discussion (Resumed)

2:00 am

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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Mr. Ó Coigligh did not answer the question but I cannot ask him a fifth time. I could but we would be here all day.

With regard to the Department of public expenditure and reform, Deputy Gibney referred to getting something signed off, the structures within the Department of arts and culture, the structures within the Department of public expenditure and reform, and then the separate structures within the Arts Council, along with grading issues and so on. I have sat on both sides of the fence on this issue as well. Is there a real concern around the rigidity of how agencies are staffed? I remember when hiring IT individuals that professionally they can be at a different level grading wise for pay because they are so qualified. It is a demand requirement for them. Is the whole process too rigid with the Department of expenditure and reform when flexibility may be needed to be able to help an organisation like the Arts Council, and in Mr. Ó Coigligh's own Department? I am not asking Mr. Ó Coigligh to criticise the Department of public expenditure and reform but would he concur that there should be a greater understanding or flexibility in relation that?