The Irish Arts Council is under intense scrutiny following the revelation that it spent nearly €7 million on an IT project that ultimately failed. The project, which began in 2018, was intended to modernise the Council’s IT systems but was abandoned in June 2024 after it became clear that it would not be completed successfully.
The Comptroller and Auditor General found that the Arts Council spent €6.675 million on the project, which was nearly double the initial budget of €3 million. The project was supposed to improve the Council’s ability to process funding applications and grants, but it was never delivered. As a result, the Council reported an overall loss of €5.3 million in its 2023 annual report.
Arts Minister Patrick O’Donovan expressed his deep concern over the governance failures that led to the project’s collapse. He announced a major review of the Arts Council’s governance and culture to prevent such issues from recurring. The review will cover all activities and expenditures under the Council’s remit.
Minister O’Donovan, who took office two weeks ago, was shocked by the scale of the financial mismanagement. He emphasised the need for accountability and transparency, stating that the public must have confidence that their money is being used appropriately.
The examination initiated by the Department of Culture last year made 36 recommendations, highlighting that the Arts Council was not prepared for the scale of the project and lacked adequate resources to deliver it. The oversight, monitoring, and reporting arrangements by the department were also found to be inadequate.
The Arts Council acknowledged the project’s ambitious nature and expressed regret that it was not completed. They are now seeking legal redress from the IT contractors involved.
The revelation has sparked anger among politicians and the public. There is significant frustration over the waste of public funds that could have supported artists and cultural activities across the country. The timing of the disclosure, just as Minister O’Donovan took office, has added to the controversy.
Minister O’Donovan has instructed his department to commence an external review of the Arts Council’s governance and culture. This review aims to ensure that best practices are followed and that such financial mismanagement does not occur again. The review will extend beyond capital projects to all activities and expenditures of the Arts Council.
The Arts Council, which has seen its funding increase by 75% in recent years to €140 million, must now work to rebuild trust and demonstrate that it can manage public funds effectively. The outcome of the review will be crucial in determining the future direction of the Council and its ability to support the arts in Ireland.
