Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 374: To ask the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works will make available on loan pieces of art, sculptures and so on to major community centres or other such public buildings and centres. [28980/05]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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The OPW purchases and commissions art works under the Government's per cent for art scheme. National guidelines on the operation of the per cent for art scheme were published by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in December 2004.

Under the per cent for art scheme, the OPW purchases and commissions art works for all capital construction projects under its management. Art works have been acquired by the OPW for hundreds of public buildings throughout Ireland — including Garda stations, court houses, offices of the Revenue Commissioners, offices of the Department of Social and Family Affairs and other regional Government offices. The OPW is also responsible for the management of art works in hundreds of heritage properties and major parks that are all easily accessible to the public.

Other Government Departments, including the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Department of Health and Children, Department of Education and Science, and Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, are responsible for the management and implementation of the per cent for art scheme in their own capital projects.

The OPW has no role in the distribution of per cent for art funds for local authority projects — these fall under the management of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Arts officers and public arts officers in the local authorities are involved in the administration of per cent for art projects in communities throughout Ireland. The OPW is committed to maximum use of the per cent for art scheme and has embraced its use fully in public buildings throughout Ireland. This commitment is demonstrated in all the building projects in which the OPW has been involved in recent years.