Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 261: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the prospects for a new and enhanced capital grant scheme for new theatre builds and upgrades; his Department's intentions regarding the proposed development of a garage theatre facility in Monaghan town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22631/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The main vehicle for capital funding through my Department is the Arts & Culture Capital Enhancement Support Scheme (ACCESS), under which almost €43 million was provided for arts and cultural facilities around the country. This scheme commenced in 2001 but many projects are still in the course of completion. At present the funds available under the ACCESS scheme have been fully allocated. It is hoped to shortly make an announcement regarding a possible successor to the ACCESS scheme. Applications for any such scheme will be invited by public advertisement.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 262: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the reason for the establishment of the Music Board; the original aims and objectives of the board; the board's achievements; his views on whether the board achieved its original aims and objectives; the reason same was disbanded and if he will reconstitute the board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22651/06]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 263: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the supports that presently exist for musicians; the support initiatives he intends to offer to musicians; the financial supports he presently offers to classical musicians, Irish music, opera, rock, pop musicians and so on; the way in which he will improve them; if he will encourage more musicians to record on Irish music labels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22652/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 263 together.

The Music Board of Ireland was established on an interim basis in May, 2001 by the then Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht, and the Islands, Síle de Valera, T.D. The Mandate given to the Board was:- to act as a forum for the industry; to devise and actively promote strategic policies for the development of the industry and the maximisation of its contribution to the national economy; to assist Government and its agencies in their efforts to develop the industry.

The interim Board was established on the basis that the then Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht, and the Islands, and IBEC, would fund the costs arising on a 50:50 basis for 3 years. During this three-year period the Board was to prepare a strategic plan for the development of the music industry in Ireland, which was to inform a decision on whether the Board should be established on a more permanent or statutorybasis.

The draft strategy delivered by the Board in November 2002 was carefully considered in my Department, but the end conclusion was that it was not satisfactorily demonstrated that the benefits accruing from the suite of programmes and activities proposed by the interim Board would be commensurate with the costs involved. Accordingly, it was decided not to proceed to statutory establishment, and the Board was not renewed beyond its initial three-year term of office. I have no plans to re-establish theBoard.

All music genres continue to fall within the remit of the Arts Council — the main channel through which State aid is provided to the arts. The Council is statutorily independent in the disbursement of its funds. This year, I was pleased to be in a position to make an amount of €72.31m available to the Arts Council, an increase of 9% on the 2005 figure.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 264: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the present location and proposals for the future location of the national art collection (details supplied) which has been on display at the Great Southern Hotels for 50 years and which has been removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22708/06]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 265: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the fact that famous paintings (details supplied) purchased by CIE with 50 percent State funding may be lost to the nation due to the fact that these paintings are to be sold by public auction by the Great Southern Hotel Group; the position of his Department in regard to the sale of such works; the means of ensuring the retention of the works for the nation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22719/06]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 266: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the mechanism he will put in place to ensure the protection of State funding used for the purchase of works of art that have been on display in the Great Southern Hotels for the past 50 years and to be put for auction; his responsibility in regard to the protection of such funding; if he will direct the Arts Council to seek recompense for such grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22720/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 264 to 266, inclusive, together.

The Arts Council is a statutory body under my Department's aegis, and is the principal channel through which State support is directed to the Arts. The Council is operationally independent of my Department, but it is understood from the Council that there are 143 works in the collection in question, which were jointly funded under the Arts Council's Joint Purchase Scheme. These works include works by Gerard Dillon, Patrick Collins, Louis le Brocquy and Basil Blackshaw. These were purchased primarily in the 1960s and 1970s, at a cost to the Council of £7,233. The total cost of these works came to £14,466.71.

The Arts Council is aware of the potential issues arising from the sale of these works and is in touch with the CEO of the Great Southern Hotel Group in this regard. On my instructions, my Department has also brought the matter to the attention of the CEO of the Dublin Airport Authority and has asked for a report on the matter. I understand that potential vendors are obliged to notify such intended sales to the OPW so that first option of such items may be exercised by the state collection institutions.