Latest news with #PatrickODonovan
Irish Times
9 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Arts Council stopped three times from spending money on outside partners after botched IT project
The Arts Council was forced to stop spending money with an external partner for a third time in the aftermath of a botched €6.7 million IT project. Minister for Culture Patrick O'Donovan had previously told it to discontinue spending on legal cases pursuing some of the companies involved in the ill-fated project, and it was forced in March to pull a tender for PR advice in advance of Oireachtas grillings on the matter. Now, internal documents seen by The Irish Times show that it was last month also told to stop spending with an external firm of consultants on governance advice. In an email sent on May 21st this year, the department's secretary general Feargal Ó Coigligh reminded Arts Council chair Maura McGrath that the body had been told not to spend on services outside of its routine operational requirements. READ MORE It arose, he wrote, after Ms McGrath told a senior official in the department that a company had been engaged 'in respect of the appearance by the Arts Council at the Public Accounts Committee'. Mr Ó Coigligh demanded a report on the spending with the firm and why it was being undertaken. In response, Ms McGrath said the work being done by the firm did not contravene the earlier order from Mr O'Donovan, and forwarded an email from the firm concerned. It outlined that it was providing assistance in preparing the Arts Council delegation to 'understand and be in a position to fully discharge their statutory and code of practice related accountability obligations during the forthcoming appearance at PAC and JOC [Joint Oireachtas Committee]'. The email outlined that the firm did not provide PR or public affairs advice but instead focused on assisting clients 'understand and properly discharge their governance functions'. Despite several references in the emails to upcoming Oireachtas committee hearings, a spokeswoman for the Arts Council told The Irish Times that preparation was 'managed internally' and said that 'no company, including the one referred to, was engaging in work relating to committees prep'. She said the firm was engaged to supply advice to the Arts Council board and that 'professional services to the board are a separate matter'. The Arts Council outlined that the advice was coming under a pre-existing contract that was run in January 2024. Responding, Mr Ó Coigligh told the Arts Council chair that even though the firm was not providing public affairs or PR advice, he considered 'the work being carried out ... falls outside the routine operational requirements' and no further liability 'should be matured under this contract'. The Arts Council spokeswoman said it is 'confident in its compliance' with directions from the Minister. No further services have been drawn down under the contract since, she said. Elsewhere, the Arts Council has said that its former chair Maureen Kennelly declared a conflict of interest in 2023 when a publisher that released a book of short stories authored by her husband successfully applied for an €80,000 grant from the State agency. The publisher, Doire Press, was awarded the sum in the same year that it published Night Music by Fergus Cronin. A spokeswoman for the Arts Council said: 'In relation to all staff members, including members of the executive, a robust conflict of interest process is also in place. With 8,600 applications received each year, and the many connections that could arise therefore, this is a very necessary part of Arts Council process. A conflict of interest was declared for the Arts Grant Funding application of Doire Press for 2023 by Maureen Kennelly during the decision-making process.'
Irish Times
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Patrick O'Donovan admonished for bringing ‘substantial' issues to Cabinet without telling colleagues
Minister for Culture Patrick O'Donovan was admonished by Department of Public Expenditure officials for bringing 'substantial expenditure' issues such as the failed Arts Council IT project to Cabinet without sharing details with colleagues in advance. A senior official in Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers's department complained that, under Government procedures, such important policy issues should be flagged and seen 'well before' these are considered by Ministers. Marianne Cassidy, an assistant secretary at the department, said this was the second time Mr O'Donovan brought a major item to Cabinet 'under the arm', meaning it was not shared in advance with other colleagues. The abandoned project, which led to more than €5.3 million being written off by the State , first came to light in February when Mr O'Donovan brought a memo on the matter to Cabinet. He was only weeks into his new role as a senior minister, and it soon emerged that his predecessor, Catherine Martin , was aware of the matter since summer last year. READ MORE The Department of Public Expenditure became aware of Mr O'Donovan's intention to bring the issue to Cabinet five days before this occurred. On Friday, February 7th, Ms Cassidy wrote to the Department of Culture to say her team understood Mr O'Donovan's memo 'will bring serious issues to the attention of Government'. She said the Department of Public Expenditure still had not seen the memo or been made aware of its detail, despite it appearing that these issues had been under consideration by the Department of Culture 'for a while'. 'As a result, it will not be possible to consider them and advise our Minister in relation to them,' said the letter, released under Freedom of Information laws. The letter noted Mr O'Donovan's proposal to spend €10 million bringing an NFL American football game to Croke Park in September had also gone to Cabinet that same week 'under the arm'. It said this practice 'makes it very difficult for this department, and indeed for Government generally, to thoroughly and properly consider issues and their implications, particularly regarding substantial expenditure implications and serious governance issues'. 'This Department should be allowed time, in compliance with government procedures, to properly scrutinise important policy issues ... well before they are table [sic] for consideration by Government,' it said. The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer at the Department of Public Expenditure had been liaising with the Arts Council throughout the project. At one point, this office had raised concerns that a key person involved in the project seemed to have 'little to no relevant expertise in this particular area'. In a statement, Mr O'Donovan's department said in the case of the NFL and the Arts Council issues 'there were time pressures involved which required the issues to be brought to Government at short notice'. Codec, the international IT company, has confirmed to The Irish Times it is one of four contractors now facing legal action initiated by the Arts Council over the botched project , which led to €6.75 million being spent on a new grant processing system that never materialised. The firm has strongly rejected an Arts Council briefing paper, shared under Freedom of Information laws, that alleged Codec did 'substandard' work on the project and was 'difficult' to engage with. Codec, one of the main contractors, has defended its work on the project. It said it 'fully delivered' on the scope and deliverables and built a system that was 'high quality, fully functioning according to spec'. 'Codec denies that it has any liability to the Arts Council for any alleged losses which the Arts Council claims it may have suffered,' the company said. It said it has received a notice of intent from the Arts Council to commence arbitration and has confirmed its intention to participate. 'Despite several requests, the Arts Council has been unwilling to provide Codec with the report prepared by an auditor examining the project on its behalf,' it also said. An Arts Council spokeswoman said it has 'commenced proceedings against two companies and we are in pre-action stage with two further companies'.
Irish Times
a day ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Pilot scheme that pays artists €325 ‘basic income' per week gets six-month extension
A scheme paying artists a basic wage of €325 per week is to be extended for another six months, it has been announced. The Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme , which was launched in 2022, supports 2,000 full-time artists and enjoys widespread support among the creative community. The scheme, which was due to expire in August, will now be extended for those currently participating in it until February. The pilot participants were chosen via a lottery system, rather than by artistic merit. The scheme covers a wide range of artistic genres, including people in visual arts, theatre, literature, music, dance, opera, film and circus. READ MORE Announcing the extension, Minister for Culture Patrick O'Donovan said the extension is being granted to prepare proposals on a new scheme that is based on research and consultation with the sector. Mr O'Donovan said he wants to bring proposals for a successor programme to Cabinet as part of Budget 2026, which is due to be unveiled in October. He said the extension gives time to finalise the research underpinning the proposal. The programme for government, which sets out the Coalitions' objectives for its five-year term, commits to assessing the pilot with a view to maximising its impact. Mr O'Donovan previously indicated he wants funding to 'extend and expand' the scheme on foot of a report that found it 'significantly impacts the subjective experience of financial uncertainty in the lives of recipients'. A report being prepared by the Department of Culture examines the first two years of the scheme while an independent research report has already been published. A cost-benefit analysis is also being undertaken. In a statement, the department said the research phase is ongoing, but it is 'clear from the evidence collated to date that the [...] payment is having a consistent, positive impact across almost all indicators'. [ The Irish Times view on basic income for artists: keep it going Opens in new window ] It said artists are able to devote more time to their work, produce more pieces, experience a boost to their wellbeing, feel less anxious and feel protected from the precariousness of incomes in the sector. The Labour Party has criticised the decision to only offer a six-month extension, saying the Government owes greater security to artists rather than a 'drip-feed of promises'. The party's arts spokesman, Rob O'Donoghue, said the scheme has been a tremendous success. He questioned why the Minister would choose to leave a 'six-month Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads'. 'With no further information as to what the successor scheme will entail, how can the Minister leave artists in limbo?' Mr O'Donoghue asked. He said the scheme needs adjusting, including the criteria for entry and the exclusion of some artistic forms. However, Mr O'Donoghue expressed doubts that these issues will be addressed within the six-month extension period. 'I'm calling on the Minister to stop kicking the can down the road. Artists need security and [should] not have to worry about bringing the begging bowl back to the Government table,' he said.
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Levy on streaming platforms could raise about €20 million per year for sector
A levy on streaming platforms in Ireland, which could raise about €20 million per year for public service content, would be an 'obvious quick fix' for the sector, an Oireachtas committee has heard. New proposed broadcasting legislation initially permitted Coimisiún na Meán to impose such a levy. However, an amendment saw an 'added layer of protection for the Irish consumer' from Minister for Media Patrick O' Donovan which would ensure any levy would require ministerial approval. Roderick Flynn of the DCU Institute of Future Media, Democracy and Society told Oireachtas media committee members that a levy of 3 per cent would equate to about €20 million per year in funding for public content and about 30 cent per month on a standard Netflix subscription. READ MORE 'This doesn't seem like an onerous increase for what is, after all, a discretionary household budgetary expenditure,' he said. Given the competitive streaming market in Ireland, he said companies would have a 'strong incentive' to absorb the cost internally. 'Why would you not want €20 million to be thrown specifically at public service content production?' he said. The issue was raised in the context of 'inadequate' funding proposed under the legislation which seeks to convert an existing broadcasting fund to a 'platform-neutral' media fund. Several representatives of the sector highlighted concerns over the level of funding and the way in which it has been allocated to date, with radio stations and papers finding themselves ineligible due to the requirement for 'additionality'. This sees a requirement for a radio station or paper being awarded funding for services, such as court reporting, not already being provided. The allocation of 7 per cent of the net licence fee receipts to the fund, meanwhile, is 'inadequate, especially given the wider scope of eligible applicants,' said Sammi Bourke, chair of Newsbrands Ireland, the representative body for national newspapers. The issue of funding was raised amid widespread difficulties in the sector, notably the emergence of AI and use of content by social media platforms without compensation. Ms Bourke told TDs and senators that news publishers now face 'existential challenges due to the widespread appropriation of our journalism by major tech and AI companies'. 'Our content is being harvested without consent or compensation, undermining the commercial viability of journalism and threatening the public's access to reliable information,' she said. Deirdre Veldon, vice chair of Newsbrands Ireland and managing director of The Irish Times Group, said the companies have 'the best of both worlds' noting that 87 per cent of the advertising revenue previously taken in by the media market is now with big tech. 'What I would prefer to see is them discharging their responsibilities in relation to offering proper compensation to publishers and broadcasters for use of their content,' she said. Michael Kelly, chief executive of the IBI, said the advertising landscape in Ireland has undergone 'major disruption' with tech giants and social media platforms now extracting approximately €1 billion in advertising revenue from the market each year. This is in contrast to about €165 million being taken in by RTÉ radio and the independent radio sector, he said. Fine Gael TD Brian Brennan noted cost increases facing the sector and a loss in ad revenue, saying: 'I honestly fear for the future of the people in this room, of who you're representing, unless something strong is done. You simply have to get a higher percentage of the pot or else it is not commercially feasible to continue to do what you're doing.'
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Moment caravan park boss issues 'veiled threat' to couple who suffered 'huge' loss after buying £125,000 holiday home on the site
This is the moment a caravan park sales manager issued what they believed to be a veiled threat to a couple who had suffered a 'huge' loss after purchasing a £125,000 deluxe static from a site. Asha and Jason Ross believed they had found an opportunity for a steady income when they bought a six-figure caravan from Prestige Country Parks. Social media posts made by Malton Grange Country Park, owned by Prestige, claimed buyers could make anywhere up to a £1,000-a-week. It also suggested the value of the holiday home would only rise, much like a property, despite advise from the National Caravan Council saying caravans are a 'depreciating asset'. However when Jason and Asha chatted with the firm's sales manager, Patrick O'Donovan, he also told them they would make good money from letting the caravan. But within six weeks the couple only secured two bookings, worth in total £180. So they decided to sell the lodge back to the company but as a 'huge' loss. Feeling 'ashamed', and even now to embarrass to reveal the extent of their financial loss, the couple sought legal advice. Following this, Jason was phoned by Mr O'Donovan, who hurled abuse towards him, as well as issuing what the couple believed to be a veiled threat. However matters soon went awry as they secured only two bookings in six weeks, and after deciding to sell at a significantly lower price sought legal advice During the phone call, recorded by Jason, the sales manager said: 'Its Prestige Country Parks have you got nothing better to do? 'F*****g hell you need a day off mate. You need to get a job or something... You sold it back to us but it's us ripping you off? Pathetic.' The former caravan owner calmly responded, telling Mr O'Donovan it was down to lawyers 'to address' before adding: 'So, nothing more to say.' And in what was seemingly a veiled threat, the sales manager added: 'We know where you are don't we.' Jason said he felt it was a warning to advise him and his wife 'to back off', telling the BBC: 'I don't know them, I don't know what lengths they are willing to go to ensure they safeguard their business. His wife, Asha added: 'I was very aware they knew where we lived, you start thinking who are we actually dealing with here and how dangerous they are.' The couple say they later discovered the previous lodge owner, Paul Gordon, had not passed away as Mr O'Donovan had led them to believed. According to the BBC, he had purchased the same caravan for £140,000 in May 2021, but after just over a year he sold it to Prestige for £70,000. A MailOnline graphic detailing the hidden costs of owning a static home (pictured) The caravan site firm since told the BBC they do not condone staff behaving in a threatening or unprofessional manner and have since launched a probe. It also added the offer given to the Rosses' was due to the couple wanting to rid off the caravan quickly as well as the firm being overstocked. It maintained rental income was not assured, adding six weeks was not a great deal of time to secure booking or to make money. Elsewhere, in Allerthorpe and Country Park near York, Mark and Sandra Thompson were pushed out by increasing site fees, which were upped from £3,995 to £7,000 in a three year period. They eventually sold their lodge back to the firm after concluding the arguments were not worth the stress. But they were offered just £23,000 by a salesman for the caravan, despite having bought the lodge for £66,000 in 2019. And it was only shortly after they spotted their former property back on the market for a £110,000 sum. Mrs Thompson said: 'We were devastated because we'd taken a mortgage out for this holiday home, so we still have to pay the mortgage off.' The caravan firm said the hike in site fee was a reflection of 'growing cost operations' as well as 'the significantly enhanced offering'. Kim Graham paid £57,000 for a mobile home (pictured) from Seal Bay Resort in Hampshire two years ago, but says she was offered just £15,000 for it this year It denied to the BBC any inference of deception, adding that final decisions on listings are determined by upgrades, location and not the original value of the lodges. It also asserted the ultimate decision if a caravan stays on a site 'is a business and operational matter'. It comes after over 1,000 'ripped off' caravan owners begun legal action after claiming they have been unfairly put out of pocket to the tune of tens of thousands of pounds by greedy holiday park owners. Members of the Holiday Park Action Group (HPAG) are seeking compensation for what they say are unfair increases in annual pitch fees and misleading claims about the value of static caravans at the time of purchase. They have accused holiday parks of selling the homes at a 'significantly marked-up price' ensuring owners had substantial losses if they ever decided to sell up. Founder Carole Keeble told the BBC existing regulations were failing to protect consumers from 'unfair commercial practices' on an 'industrial scale'. The anticipated rulings in the High Court will rely on a small snapshot of test cases which could pave the way for the rest of the near 1,200 people to bring legal action to get compensation. Hugh Preston KC, the group's lawyer, said: 'It's essentially an unregulated sector, there's no statutory regulations that tell parks what to do or how to behave… and there are a wide range of issues that consumers feel they're just not getting fair value from.'
