The National Theatre of Ireland may create a post of chief executive by the end of the year. The board of the Abbey will meet representatives of the shareholders and staff in two weeks' time to consider changes in the present structure.
It is expected that a new post of chief executive in charge of promotion and development will be approved. Should this be the case, the post could be advertised by the end of next month.
The post was suggested in a report on the theatre by Mr David Brierley, who was for many years the general manager of the Royal Shakespeare Company in Strat ford.
In the interim Ms Madeline Boughton, the press officer of the Project Arts Centre, will take over from the director of public relations, Ms Dorothea Melvin, as temporary press officer in January.
Ms Melvin, who has been with the Abbey for three years, is leaving next week to take up a post with the Cultures of Ireland Bureau in Brussels. Ms Boughton will look after public relations until the appointment of the new executive.
Mr Patrick Mason, a director of the theatre, said: "As this is an important decision, we're not rushing into anything. The future structure of the press and marketing department will be decided by the new executive, if and when that person is appointed."