Written answers
Thursday, 16 January 2014
Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
Departmental Bodies
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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181. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of quangos, State agencies or organisations under the remit of his Department that have been merged, reformed or abolished since 2011; the details of each of these measures in tabular form; the cost saving or service delivery improvement which has resulted; how many more he expects to be merged, reformed or abolished and the timeline for same; if he will provide a full list of all agencies and organisations under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1971/14]
Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Government Decision of 17November 2011 on Public Service Reform announced a streamlining of State bodies, including a number of bodies funded from this Department’s Vote Group. The Government Decision of 31 October 2012 endorsed the implementation of these measures and the details as requested are laid out in tabular form in the table below. A full list of the bodies and agencies funded from my Department's Vote Group can be accessed on the Department's website through the following link:
| Proposed Measure | Current position |
|---|---|
| Combine Irish Museum of Modern Art, Crawford Art Gallery & National Gallery of Ireland while retaining separate identities. | Legislation is being prepared to give effect to the approach approved by Government in relation to this measure. This will result, inter alia, in a reduction in the number on boards, as well as enshrining pro bono service. Approximately €45,000 has been saved to date and it is estimated that further savings will be achieved through the sharing of services. |
| Merge National Archives & Irish Manuscripts Commission, into National Library while maintaining separate identities and examine the issue of shared services and the board structure of both bodies. | Legislation is being prepared to give effect to the approach approved by Government in relation to this measure. Work is also ongoing in relation to a shared services agenda between my Department and the institutions. In this regard, a shared HR service agreement is now in place between my Department and the National Museum. This will result in significant savings across all areas. Shared services between the institutions are also being developed in the areas of education, marketing and tendering processes. The boards are being reduced in number and will operate pro bono. Savings of approximately €200,000 are expected to be achieved in staff costs. It is also envisaged that a further €300,000 in savings will be achieved through additional shared services. Approximately €80,000 per year will be saved on board fees based on 2012 figures. |
| Merge functions of An Coimisinéir Teanga with Ombudsman Office. | The requisite legislative amendments will be included in the Official Languages (Amendment) Bill 2014, which is in preparation. |
| Proposed Measure | Current position |
|---|---|
| Chester Beatty Library – examine potential for shared services with other Cultural Institutions | This action is completed. The Chester Beatty Library continues to share services with other National Cultural Institutions. |
| Placenames Commission / An Coimisiún Logainmneacha – Absorb function within the department | This action has been completed and is being implemented on an administrative basis pending legislative change to be included in the Official Languages Act (Amendment) Bill 2014.. The term of office of the Placenames Commission expired in October 2012 and an expert committee, operating pro bono was appointed. Savings in relation to this merger amount to approx €20,000annually. |
| Culture Ireland – Merge the functions of Culture Ireland into the Department. | This action has been completed. The functions of Culture Ireland have been fully merged with my Department. A new expert committee, which includes key Government agencies, has been established and is operating pro bono. Savings arising from this action amount to approximately €57,000 annually. |
| The Heritage Council – Merge the functions of the Council into the Department. | It has been agreed by Government not to carry out this proposed merger but to streamline operations and eliminate standing committees and board fees. This is currently being implemented on an administrative basis, pending legislative amendment which is currently with parliamentary counsel for drafting. Savings arising from this action amount to approximately €65,000 annually. |
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