National Museum’s internal woes have cost State dearly, TD claims

The National Museum of Ireland has been described as dysfunctional and hampered by 15 years of HR crises that have cost the State "massive money".

Sinn Féin arts spokesman Peadar Tóibín made the claim as he listed a number of legal cases taken by former employees against the museum. Mr Tóibín said he understood two finance staff including the former financial manager had taken personal injuries cases to the High Court for bullying and that these were settled out of court.

A finance manager was made redundant recently and the finance department of the museum now had mostly agency staff, costing about €3,500 every week.

The Meath West TD said a large number of reports and agencies had been involved over the last number of years and "that has cost the State massive money".

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‘Damning’ report

He said an internal HR report on the museum was "damning" and he asked if a "well-known agency dealing with sexual misconduct was employed by the National Ireland of Ireland over the past 10 to 15 years".

Mr Tóibín accused Minister for Arts Heather Humphreys of building a paper wall between herself and the museum and said it seemed her department did not want to get involved and fix the issue.

Ms Humphreys, however, insisted she could not get involved in the day-to-day running of the museum: “It is not my job to do it and I do not intend to do it.”

She said the HR issues the deputy referred to were a matter for the board and management of the museum. The Minister said she had appointed a new board to the museum in June 2016 under a dynamic new chairwoman Catherine Heaney "and I am confident it has a wide range of skills to address the challenges facing the museum".

Ms Humphreys added that she was confident the board and management would ensure the staff and management continue to deliver an excellent service to the public across the museum’s four locations.