Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

64. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of moneys provided to Galway 2020 to date; the details of the robust project management structures in place at Galway 2020; the name of the Irish language officer at Galway 2020; when the Irish language officer was appointed; the period of time for which he or she was appointed; and if the Minister will make a statement on the matter. [39967/18]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The background for my question is Galway as European Capital of Culture. It is a very specific question about how much money has been given to project 2020, the robust project management structures in place, whether an Irish language officer has been appointed, if so when, and the name of that officer.

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I assume the Deputy is referring to Galway 2020. The Government has committed €15 million towards the funding of Galway 2020 as European City of Culture. As outlined in my response to Question No. 21 of 21 June 2018, the Department provided a first tranche of funding in 2017 amounting to €250,000 to Galway 2020 towards certified expenditure incurred by Galway 2020.

A performance delivery agreement to set out the mutual responsibilities of Galway 2020 and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and the terms of the drawdown of the funds under the agreement, is being progressed by officials in the Department. They are working closely with the Galway 2020 team to put in place the agreement, as well as support it in its work to deliver a strong culture programme in 2020. In this regard, officials from the Department will be meeting senior management from Galway 2020 next week and I expect that the agreement will be signed this month.

The stepping down of the creative director in May and, more recently, the chief executive officer, CEO, has been a cause for concern. I will talk to the Deputy in the supplementary replies about the new chief executive who has been appointed. This has created uncertainty around the mechanisms for the delivery phase of the project and did not assist the finalisation of the performance delivery agreement. I and the officials are engaging on an ongoing basis to assist in resolving the current difficulties.

In this regard I met the chairperson of the Galway 2020 board on 13 September to discuss recent developments, including the stepping down of the CEO, who has only today been replaced, and cultural leadership plans. I advised the chairperson that I wish to see the leadership matters resolved as quickly as possible in order that Galway 2020 can move forward to focus on the delivery of what is an ambitious and exciting programme for the year. While I share the concern regarding the recent difficulties, I am confident that the issues can be resolved. Significant public resources are being provided for this year.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am glad the Minister is expressing concern. I want her to clarify who has been appointed today. The question I asked, further to previous questions, was how much money has been given to date. The Minister referred to €250,000 at a particular time. The concerns did not arise today or yesterday but have been ongoing for some time. Serious questions arise concerning the manner of the exit of a number of key personnel and whether money was involved in exit packages.

It is not my job today to discuss the content. It is my job to ask questions about robust management structures, which the Minister has not answered. We know from the debacle of the Pálás Cinema that there was a lack of governance and management by the Department. A post-project review is planned for that in the coming year. Lessons have apparently been learned and more will be learned. What has delayed the performance delivery agreement? It was due immediately after I last questioned the Minister, which was some time ago. Why has the agreement not been signed? Who has been appointed today? What is the position regarding the Irish language officer? These are simple, practical questions which will help to instil confidence. I would appreciate if the Minister could answer them.

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Galway 2020 announced today the assignment of Ms Patricia Philbin to the Galway 2020 team following the departure of the CEO. Ms Philbin has been seconded from Galway City Council.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Is she the new CEO?

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Yes. She was director of services in Galway City Council. She stated in a press release issued today that she is very excited about working with Galway 2020, a project which has been close to her heart, and she looks forward to working with the team to make it an exceptional year for County Galway and the council.

To answer the Deputy's specific questions, the performance delivery agreement is being drawn up by the Department in consultation with Galway 2020. The resignations that occurred slowed down the process. I, as Minister, expressed my concern to Aideen McGinley when she came in and she accepts that this has to be expedited. The delivery agreement sets out the respective roles and responsibilities of the Department in the provision and expenditure of the grant, key deliverables, performance indicators, the drawdown of the grant and the monitoring and reporting arrangements to be put in place. As we move into the delivery phase, Galway 2020 is signing contracts with organisations, artists and performers and it is expected that it will announce many of the contracted performances under the programme in a showcase event in November. With regard to funding, as I stated, the Department provided a first tranche of €250,000 in December 2017 towards certified expenditure already incurred for Galway 2020.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Minister taking a hands-on approach in as much as she can do that but she is not answering my question. I come from a bilingual city, chathair dhátheangach. I asked the Minister a specific question about the Irish language officer. It would have been helpful if she had responded. With regard to governance structures, if we have learned anything, even with the most recent debacle relating to the President's Establishment and expenses, we want robust structures that we can rely on. It is good to meet with the chairperson but alongside that we need robust management structures. The Committee of Public Accounts is retrospectively examining a project that became a debacle, namely, the Pálás Cinema, a public building which is now under a private entity. We are all very proud of Galway, the multicultural city that it is and its bilingual status, but this is not coming across in Galway 2020. Recently, the company failed to provide a spokesperson for a discussion in Irish on a radio station. I am reluctantly raising this matters because I am proud Galwegian who is very happy that the city will be European Capital of Culture in 2020. However, I will certainly not remain quiet when I see a number of people walking out a door with no questions being asked or properly replied to. Is the Minister confirming that no money other than the €250,000 has been provided?

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I can confirm that. The majority of Government committed funding will flow over 2019 and 2020 with the remaining amount to be provided in 2021. These final funding figures will be agreed with me in the current period. It is difficult to answer all the Deputy's questions given the time constraints. I can provide her with a full written response to her questions. I appreciate and understand her concerns. I want Galway 2020 to be a success. Robust structures have to be put in place and I am determined that will be the case.

Senior management of Galway 2020 are in the process of finalising a job specification for the Irish language officer which will issue shortly. The recruitment of an Irish language officer is part of the delivery phase of the programme currently progressing. The bid book, which sets out the planned programme for the year as part of Ireland's bid to the European Commission for the European Capital of Culture, identified language as one of its three key themes. As Irish is a key element of Galway's cultural identity, it is important that the project has an Irish language officer. The process to appoint the officer is taking place. It is also important to note that the EU has a monitoring role and regularly monitors expenditure on the success of Galway 2020.