Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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320. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has received a report in relation to a staff member of the Arts Council awarding a grant of money to a family member as part of the DEIS scheme 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26899/14]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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321. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide assurance that safeguards have been put in place to prevent a member of staff of the Arts Council awarding a grant of money to a family member; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26914/14]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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322. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he retains confidence in the administration of State funds by the Arts Council in view of the controversy relating to the granting of a sum of money to a family member by a staff member of the Arts Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26915/14]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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323. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he is satisfied with the information received in regard to the granting of a sum of money by a staff member of the Arts Council to a family member as part of the DEIS scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26917/14]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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324. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has spoken with the chairperson of the Arts Council in regard to the granting of a sum of money by a staff member of the Arts Council to a family member as part of the DEIS scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26918/14]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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325. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if any disciplinary action has been taken against a staff member of the Arts Council who awarded a sum of money to a family member as part of the DEIS scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26919/14]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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326. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a person who awarded a family member a sum of money under the DEIS scheme is still employed by the Arts Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26920/14]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 320 to 326, inclusive, together.

Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations and I have no role to play in its executive or funding decisions. The particular matter to which the Deputy refers was discussed by the Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht with the Chair of the Arts Council in February last. At the hearing, the Chair undertook to review issues of conflict of interest to ensure that there would not be a recurrence. I understand that such a review has been carried out by the Arts Council. I am also advised that:

- no grant was awarded by the Arts Council in the case to which the Deputy is referring;

- a disciplinary investigation was conducted and concluded; and

- appropriate action was taken by the Council taken in line with employment legislation and guidelines.

At the time, the Arts Council kept my Department informed appropriately of the relevant aspects of the case, which is now concluded.