Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers . - National College of Art and Design .
- Alleged private business at NCAD 5 speeches
The Minister confirmed that he had received the board’s report and was examining it, consulting the Attorney General, before deciding what action to take or whether State funds should be recouped.
Edward Collins, John P. Wilson
- Appointment of NCAD director 5 speeches
The Minister said the director would be appointed under the 1971 Act and that the vacancy had been widely advertised. Asked whether the interview board would assess applicants independently, he cited its statutory status but did not directly answer the concern.
Edward Collins, John P. Wilson
asked the Minister for Education if the board of the National College of Art and Design, Dublin, have reported to him on the allegations concerning the private business registered there; the action he is taking to recoup State moneys which may have been used by that private business; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Comment on this
: The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is "yes". The report is being examined in my Department. Pending the outcome of this examination I do not propose to make a statement on the matter.
Comment on this
: Arising out of the report which contains a serious allegation, when will the Minister be in a position to come to a decision on this matter? If he is satisfied that there was private business registered and actively being pursued by members of the staff, what action will he take to recoup State moneys which were used by way of direct finance or by use of the services of the college?
Comment on this
: As I said, I do not intend to make any statement on the matter. I am in consultation with the Attorney General.
Comment on this
asked the Minister for Education the procedure to be used for selecting the next director of the National College of Art and Design, Dublin; if he is satisfied that there will be wide publicity given to the existence of the vacancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Comment on this
: The appointment of the next Director of the National College of Art and Design will be made in accordance with the terms of Section 17 of the National College of Art and Design Act, 1971.
The vacancy has been advertised in the following papers: The Irish Press, The Irish Independent, The Irish Times, The Cork Examiner, The Belfast Telegraph, The Guardian, The Times Higher Education Supplement. Consequently, I am satisfied that wide publicity has been given to the existence of the vacancy and have no further statement to make on the matter.
Comment on this
: Is the Minister satisfied that the interview board will be so constructed as to allow of fairly independent assessment of the applicants and a fairly independent attitude in relation to appointments?
Comment on this
: As the Deputy knows, the board is a statutory body and is bound by the statute which set it up.