Results 4,501-4,520 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Creative Ireland Programme (14 Nov 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Creative Ireland is not a funding body. It was set up to collaborate and work with all the different agencies. The Deputy mentioned a number of them. The creative children programme, which followed on from the arts in education programme, will get €1 million in 2017. The local authorities got €1 million in funding last year. I did not have an input in deciding how it was...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Cultural Institutions (14 Nov 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I will answer the question the Deputy submitted which was to ask me about the review of records and engagements by my Department. That is the question the Deputy raised with me, so I will answer it first. A review has recently been carried out by my Department of all relevant records and engagements between the Department and the board, management and staff of the National Museum of Ireland...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Cultural Institutions (14 Nov 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The museum is dealing with a number of legacy HR issues relating to matters that happened a number of years ago and the board of management is taking steps to address these issues. I cannot get involved in HR matters, which are a matter for the executive and board of the museum. I have provided additional support in dealing with the legacy issues. I have been very supportive of the chair...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Cultural Institutions (14 Nov 2017)

Heather Humphreys: -----nor of anyone making a protected disclosure to the Minister. Other staffing matters which came to the attention of the Department at that time were referred to the museum, as the employer. Under the Act, the museum has responsibility for its staff as is clearly set out. This is all dealt with in the review which specifically acknowledges that in 2012 certain allegations of bullying...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Cultural Institutions (14 Nov 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 establishes the National Museum of Ireland as an autonomous body. While I view it as an extremely important part of the heritage of the State, I have no involvement in the day-to-day running of the National Museum of Ireland. Section 29 of the Act provides that: "The Director of the Museum shall carry on and manage and control generally the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: State Bodies Code of Conduct (14 Nov 2017)

Heather Humphreys: All bodies under the aegis of my Department are subject to the revised code of practice for the governance of State bodies which came into effect in September 2016. The code, which is published on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's website, sets out the respective roles of parent Departments, boards and chairs of individual bodies, and includes details of the oversight and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: State Bodies Code of Conduct (14 Nov 2017)

Heather Humphreys: With respect to the Arts Council funding of the Gate Theatre, as the Deputy will be aware, HR issues are a matter for the board of the Gate Theatre. Boards and directors of theatres and of any of the other cultural institutions must take on board their responsibilities. There are legal obligations to which they must adhere. While the Arts Council is independent in its funding decisions, I...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: State Bodies Code of Conduct (14 Nov 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I wish to clarify that there is no Creative Ireland funding. I will arrange separate dedicated workshops for board members and senior staff of bodies reporting to my Department. I am happy to expand that to arts and cultural organisations across the country. I will provide training on corporate governance with a particular emphasis on bullying and harassment. This is unacceptable...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Cultural Institutions (14 Nov 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The governance of publicly funded theatres, as with all bodies, is a matter for the board of the theatres themselves. All boards have a duty to ensure their bodies comply with statutory requirements and that their staff can work in a safe and respectful environment. In recent times, as we know, there have been a number of alarming allegations and reports about sexual harassment in the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Cultural Institutions (14 Nov 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy is right when she says we need to change the culture. It has to be changed and that is why I want to remind, retrain and highlight again the responsibilities that individual organisations have towards their staff. It is important that they are made aware of it. Sometimes practices creep in and become the norm although they are unacceptable. That is why people need to...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Cultural Institutions (14 Nov 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Regarding the statutory bodies that are under my remit, I understand that in many cases they actually do have a staff member on the board.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Cultural Institutions (14 Nov 2017)

Heather Humphreys: Some of the requirements are set down in law regarding the make-up of the boards. Each of the cultural institutions has legislation governing-----

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Cultural Institutions (14 Nov 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I am happy, of course, to look at it. I think in many cases they actually have staff members on the boards of the various organisations. It is something I certainly can look at.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: National Cultural Institutions (14 Nov 2017)

Heather Humphreys: The Gate Theatre is not under my remit.

Other Questions: Arts Funding (14 Nov 2017)

Heather Humphreys: There is a misunderstanding in the question. The Creative Ireland programme did not get an additional €8.5 million in the budget. Rather, the €8.5 million in current funding across the cultural sector will assist in delivering on the objectives of the Creative Ireland programme, including the €3 million of that allocation which is being provided to the Arts Council. In...

Other Questions: Arts Funding (14 Nov 2017)

Heather Humphreys: 5 o’clock I remind the Deputy that, while in government between 2007 and 2011, Fianna Fáil cut the Arts Council budget by 22%. I am glad I have been able to increase that budget by 20% since taking office in 2014. I absolutely respect the independence of the Arts Council and value its support and expertise. I will continue to work with it as we roll out the Creative...

Other Questions: Arts Funding (14 Nov 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I outlined the breakdown of the €8.5 million allocation, involving, among other things, €3 million for the Arts Council, €2.56 million for the cultural institutions, €1.55 million for the Irish Film Board and €1 million for the Creative Ireland project. As regards the Taoiseach's commitment, he said he wants to double funding for arts, culture and sport...

Other Questions: Arts Funding (14 Nov 2017)

Heather Humphreys: If the Deputy listens to what I am about to say regarding the figures, she will get a clearer picture. In 2017, the Arts Council will get €68.2 million in funding. Creative Ireland-----

Other Questions: Arts Funding (14 Nov 2017)

Heather Humphreys: It will receive €68.2 million in funding, which is nearly 50% of the total spend of my Department in that space. I have increased its budget progressively every year since I was appointed Minister in 2014. Creative Ireland does not get priority funding. It received €5 million last year and will get the same this year to assist local authorities to roll out the Creative...

Other Questions: Arts Funding (14 Nov 2017)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The most important thing is that all involved in the arts sector work together to promote and encourage more people to get involved and participate in the arts. The Taoiseach has said he will double the overall budget for arts, culture and sport over the next seven years. We can meet that target by implementing sustainable increases on an...