Cultural Institutions Unit- Overview
The Cultural Institutions Unit of the Department seeks to create an environment enabling the National Cultural Institutions to flourish through the provision of financial resources and an appropriate policy framework.
The National Cultural Institutions are:
National Archives, National Concert Hall, National Library of Ireland, National Museum of Ireland, Chester Beatty Library and the Irish Museum of Modern Art and in addition the National Gallery of Ireland, which has its own Exchequer Vote and is responsible to the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism. Issues relating to the day-to-day management of the individual National Cultural Institutions are dealt with directly by the institutions themselves; matters relating to the general policy under which they operate and the provision of financial resources are matters for this Unit.
Core Policy Goal
To provide a capital infrastructure for the National Cultural Institutions, in co-operation with the institutions and the Office of Public Works; acknowledge the fine art and cultural history of the country, and to influence the development of the private sector cultural industry by financially supporting non-State institutions and projects supporting the cultural infrastructure of the country.
Supporting Objectives
To provide a resource, policy and legislative framework for the cultural institutions, taking account of demands arising from changes in society and legal requirements;
To encourage the development of the cultural institutions in accordance with agreed strategic objectives and co-operation among the institutions;
To support the Council of National Cultural Institutions (CNCI); and
To establish a policy framework to facilitate greater access to the national collections by the general public and the development of local and regional museums
Key Issues
- To review the National Archives Act, 1986;
- To oversee the completion of the capital projects of the National Cultural Institutions to meet their accommodation needs and to improve the level and quality of services to the public;
- To develop and establish strategies in consultation with the cultural institutions concerned to address their future maintenance and capital development needs;
- To bring forward a strategy to provide a modern National Concert Hall with the appropriate facilities;
- To encourage the cultural institutions to maximise their appeal to the general public and, in particular, to young people, the socially disadvantaged and visitors from abroad.
Key Legislation
Heritage Fund Act, 2001
National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997
National Archives Act, 1986
Documents and Pictures Act, 1945
National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997 (Commencement) Orders
Statutory Instrument (S.I.)
S.I. No. 222/1997
S.I. No. 328/1997
S.I. No. 438/1998
S.I. No. 640/2002
S.I. No. 218/2005
S.I. No. 219/2005
S.I. No. 220/2005
S.I. No. 226/2005
Copies of the above legislation (including commencement orders) pertaining to the Cultural Institutions are available through the Government Publications Office or at www.irishstatutebook.ie