UPDATE: Minister for Communities, Media and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, has declared that the Arts Council must evolve to be “fundamentally different” to regain public trust following a critical review of its governance. This announcement, made outside Government Buildings in Dublin earlier today, comes in the wake of the agency’s controversial handling of an IT project that spiraled from an initial budget of €3 million to an alarming total of €6.7 million before its abandonment in 2024.
The minister emphasized the need for transparency and accountability, stating that the public deserves to see value for money from state agencies. The external review, led by Professor Niamh Brennan, is expected to be presented to Cabinet within the next two weeks. O’Donovan described the report’s findings as “fairly stark,” indicating that significant changes are essential for restoring confidence in the Arts Council.
“Without getting into the report, there is enough material in the media to say that it will be a fundamentally different Arts Council,” O’Donovan stated. He stressed the importance of inclusivity, urging that individuals from diverse backgrounds, including new Irish citizens and those involved in underrepresented art forms like comedy, should be engaged in the artistic process. “We cannot exclude some to the detriment of others,” he added.
In addition to reforming the Arts Council, O’Donovan called for local authorities to fall under the oversight of the Comptroller and Auditor General. He pointed out a significant gap in the current oversight system, stating, “The local authorities get clean bills of health through the local government auditor. That’s actually not a financial possibility; it is not financially possible that every single local authority gets a 100% clean bill of health.”
Moreover, as An Post announced an increase in the price of stamps to €1.85, O’Donovan defended the cost, highlighting its value for connectivity across Ireland. “Yes, it is an increase, but we need to retain the service,” he said, reinforcing the importance of affordable postal services for all citizens.
As the Arts Council prepares for a transformative shift, the minister’s commitment to implementing the review recommendations in their entirety signals a new direction aimed at rebuilding public trust.
Stay tuned for the upcoming release of the external review and further developments as the government takes steps to ensure accountability and inclusivity within Ireland’s arts sector.
