Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 347: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason behind the proposed merger of the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the National Gallery and the Crawford Gallery in Cork; and the potential savings to the State as a result of this proposed merger. [16119/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Government announced its Public Service Reform Plan on 17 November, 2011. Appendix IIA to that plan sets out a number of bodies to be rationalised, amalgamated or abolished in 2012, including, in respect of my Department, the following action: "Combine Irish Museum of Modern Art, Crawford Art Gallery and the National Gallery of Ireland, while retaining separate identities". The Reform Plan sets out the context and background to the decision.

My Department has commenced a detailed examination of the issues involved. The input of the Institutions will be crucial in this examination. At this point, it is not yet possible to properly assess the issue of projected savings. The Deputy will appreciate that the pursuit of efficiencies and synergies are also some of the elements under consideration.