Written answers

Thursday, 25 October 2007

Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism

Museum Projects

5:00 pm

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 42: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has considered establishing a card based scheme which would allow certain groups, such as senior citizens free access to Government run museums and galleries during specific time periods; the cost of such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25649/07]

Photo of Séamus BrennanSéamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department is responsible for the provision of funding to the National Cultural Institutions, which include the following museums and galleries:

National Library of Ireland,

National Museum of Ireland,

National Gallery of Ireland,

Irish Museum of Modern Art,

the Chester Beatty Library, and

the Crawford Art Gallery, Cork.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that it is Government policy to provide free admission to the National Collections held by these institutions. While section 14 of the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997 empowers the Boards of the National Gallery of Ireland, the National Library of Ireland and the National Museum of Ireland to pass bye-laws imposing charges subject to my consent, permission would not be forthcoming for the imposition of charges for admission to the National Collections.

The Board of the National Gallery of Ireland has passed bylaws enabling that institution to impose charges to recoup costs associated with the provision of temporary exhibitions that create additional costs for the Gallery. In theses cases, however, admission to the National Collection remains free. Where charges are imposed for temporary exhibitions, reduced admission charges for children, senior citizens and other appropriate groups are provided.

In keeping with my commitment to increasing access to arts and culture, I will keep the issue raised by the Deputy under review.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.