Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 March 2012
87 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the role he sees for the arts and the creative industry for economic and regional development and social innovation here; the role the EU has to play in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12490/12]
View answer91 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to develop the creative sector of the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12192/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 91 together.
Positioned at the core of local, regional, urban and rural activities, the arts, creative and heritage-related sectors play a pivotal part in the economic life of communities across the country, including the vital area of employment. Employment in the arts sector embraces a diverse and broad extent of activities, encompassing those engaged in specific arts practice, as well associated wider elements. I believe strongly that cultural tourism can contribute in a significant way to the development of the economy and the creation of jobs. A 2011 study by Indecon showed that total employment in the wider arts sector, which includes film and video, museums and other cultural activities, literature and publishing, amounted to 21,300 and contributed €716m in Gross Value Added to the economy in 2010.
There are currently two EU programmes operating within the areas for which I have responsibility that assist the arts and creative sector:
1. The Media Programme is the EU support programme for the European audiovisual industry and details are available at www.mediadeskireland.ie; and
2. The Culture Programme is the EU support programme for organisations working in the field of culture and details are available at www.ccp.ie.
Discussions are currently underway between the Member States and the European Commission on a new framework programme for the cultural and creative sectors. This will run from 2014 to 2020 and will be called the Creative Europe Programme. A budget of some €1,800 million is mooted for the new programme but this is not finalised and will have to be considered in the context of the overall EU Budget. It includes a proposal to amalgamate the current Culture and MEDIA programmes under a common framework and create an entirely new facility to improve access to finance.
The potential for the development of the Irish audiovisual industry is set out in the Creative Capital Report —Building Ireland’s Audiovisual Creative Economy, which I published last summer. The advancement of its recommendations is being examined by an Implementation Committee at present.
