Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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9. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the current functioning of the Arts Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31215/14]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Arts Council has given the country great service over 50 years. It is substantially funded to support artists and arts organisations and it advises the Government on arts policy. Sadly, there has been some recent controversy over a possible conflict of interest within the council. Can the Minister outline her views on the functioning of the council?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Arts Council receives funding from my Department but it is independent. It recently published a strategic review of its work, entitled Inspiring Prospects, which was undertaken by a steering group, with Mr. Terence O’Rourke as the independent chairman. I look forward to reading this report in more detail and assimilating its implications. The review and the process underlying it should allow the Arts Council to reflect on whether it delivers the best service it can to the arts sector and the public. Inspiring Prospects is timely in that it should contribute to the process of developing a new national cultural strategy, which the Government has recently agreed. The report is available on the Arts Council’s website at .

Although I have been in this job for only a couple of days, I hope to meet shortly the new chairman of the council, Ms Sheila Pratschke, and the director, Ms Orlaith McBride.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Arts Council is no different from any other body spending substantial amounts of public money. At this point, the public needs reassurance. I suspect it will be forthcoming but a review by the Arts Council of its own procedures is certainly not adequate. External analysis of what has occurred within the council is essential because of the importance of transparency and accountability in public bodies generally. In so far as there has been speculation about a conflict of interest - I believe it is no more than speculation - is the Minister prepared to take steps to ensure objective analysis of the procedures that have been employed by the council to disperse funds?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As I stated, the Arts Council receives its budget from my Department but it is independent. I accept its funds are public money and that we must be very accountable for public money. I understand the council is audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General and is subject to the same rules and regulations as other bodies. I am to meet the new chairman. The council has carried out a review, Inspiring Prospects, which is important and timely. I take on board what the Deputy saying.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I accept the Minister's response and I realise she is new in her position. It will be very interesting to hear her feedback on her engagement with the Arts Council. It is important where substantial sums of public money are involved that the agencies charged with its dispersal be challenged to ensure their procedures are always transparent and that there is always public accountability.

What is the Minister's position, or instinct, regarding the work of the Arts Council with disadvantaged communities throughout the country? Is she satisfied from her preliminary examination of what the council has been involved in that sufficient work is being done to ensure arts pursuits are not regarded as elitist and that every effort possible is made to bring the arts into all communities in the State, not least disadvantaged communities?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I agree that the arts should encompass all areas of society, including disadvantaged communities. It is important that communities be very much supported in respect of the arts. If the Deputy has any concerns, I can speak to him later about them. I will be happy to pass them on to the representatives of the council when I meet them.

As I stated, the Arts Council is independent. It is subject to the ethics in public office legislation, and the members of the council make annual returns under that legislation. Meetings of the council are governed by declaration-of-interest protocols in accordance with best practice. Staff at the council are also subject to declaration-of-interest codes. I accept that the Deputy is saying a considerable part of my Department's budget goes to the Arts Council. It is most important, therefore, that the money be spent well. I accept that.