Ministry quashes speculation on Arts Council transfers

The Ministry for Culture, Justice and Local Government has denied claims that three employees at Arts Council Malta (ACM) were transferred to other government departments following the general election.

ACM is the national agency for development and investment in the cultural and creative sec- tors.

In comments to this newspaper, council chair Albert Marshall insisted that over the past years, the council had been undergoing a restructuring process, and that the ministry should be contacted for further information.

Last month, MaltaToday reported that according to industry sources, festival manager Noel D’Amato and two other ACM employees had been transferred to departments unrelated to their professional background against their will. This came shortly after a number of dismissals at the V18 Foundation.

It is understood that D’Amato, who is involved in the organisation of the Notte Bianca festival, was given one day’s notice.

The ministry confirmed that the three employees no longer worked at the council, but denied that they had need transferred. A spokesman said the persons concerned had originally been seconded to ACM from another department, and their secondments had been rescinded.

“Revocation of detailing of two of the officers and revocation of secondment of another was done in accordance with government regulations with the three officers moving to other ministries,” said a spokesman.

“Their positions are related to their substantive grades or experience which as you know is not limited solely to the duties they carried out at Arts Council Malta.”

This newspaper is also informed that several individuals were recruited to the council in the run-up to last month’s general election, including two drivers who were not in possession of a driver’s licence.

The ministry again pushed back against allegations of wrongdoing, stressing that no recruitment had taken place, however it said that the council grants service contracts on a regular basis.

“Like other government entities and departments, ACM did not engage any staff during the month prior to the general election, from Zejtun or other any part of the country for that matter,” the spokesman said.

“Any contracts for service were carried out on a project basis, as per normal run of business. I am also informed that, of course, no driver was contracted without a licence.”