Written answers

Tuesday, 16 February 2010

Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism

Departmental Agencies

9:00 pm

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 380: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of bodies and agencies under his aegis; and his proposals for the rationalisation of same. [8190/10]

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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There are fifteen bodies/agencies under the aegis of the Department.

With regard to the announcement in Budget 2009 that the National Gallery of Ireland (NGI), Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) and Crawford Art Gallery Cork would be combined while retaining their separate identities, having now examined the matter in great detail, I have come to the conclusion that IMMA and the NGI should remain as stand-alone entities and that the Crawford can be amalgamated with the NGI. I am in the process of formalising the matter.

In respect of another announcement in Budget 2009 that the National Archives (which currently forms part of the Department) and the Irish Manuscripts Commission (which is funded by the Department) would be merged into the National Library of Ireland, the preparation of legislation to give effect to this Government decision is being advanced.

Also as announced in Budget 2009, Culture Ireland is to remain a part of the Department rather than be established as a statutory agency.

In respect of tourism bodies under the aegis of the Department, there has already been considerable rationalisation in recent years with the establishment of Tourism Ireland and the amalgamation of Cert and the former Bord Fáilte to form Fáilte Ireland. In addition, in 2006, five regional tourism authorities were subsumed into Fáilte Ireland.

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