Aontú Leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín has castigated the government for the latest revelation of government waste, this time in the Arts Council.
Speaking in the Dáil today an Teachta Tóibín stated:
“One of the most significant characteristics of the last government was their whole sale wasting of tax payers money and the glacial delivery of really important infrastructure. It seems that the new government is starting where the last left off. Today we learn about the next instalment of government waste. The Arts Council have spent €6.6m on an IT system that was never delivered. That’s an outstanding achievement even by this government’s record. That Arts Council scandal makes the bicycle shed look like pocket money.”
Mr Patrick O’Donovan says was first made aware of the issue when he took up office two weeks ago. Why did the former Minister Catherine Martin did not bring fiasco to the knowledge of the Cabinet before the election. The former Minister Catherine Martin should be brought before the Oireachtas Arts Committee to answer questions about what happened under her watch”.
“The initial investigation found that the Arts Council was not prepared for the scale of the IT project development and that it had not put in place resources to deliver it. Where was the oversight by the Department? Where was the oversight of the Green Party Minister, Catherine Martin? Where was the oversight of the Junior Ministers within the Department? Where was the oversight by the Chair and Director of the Arts Council. Why are these very well paid people not doing their job”.
“Who will be held to account Minister. Will there be a cost at all to anyone for wasting taxpayers money? There will be a review, maybe in investigation. Ministers will express deep concern in measured tones and when the media attention moves on, the incineration of the tax payers money will continue as normal”.
“We need a root an branch review of the Arts Council. The Arts Council has increased its staffing by 110 WTE in just a few years. I know people within the Arts community who feel that there is little to show for the increase. Millions of euros have been spent on their new DEI unit. We need to ascertain what contribution the DEI unit has made to the Arts community in Ireland and the Arts Council’s output under the Arts Act. There needs to be a cost benefit analysis of the significant consultancy fees and partnerships within the organisation and what contribution they make to the objectives of the Arts Council. Aontú welcomes an increase in investment into the Arts in Ireland but it must have a real benefit to the Arts community.
