Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
731. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he continues to encourage job creation through the medium of the arts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36957/13]
View answer758. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he will continue to use the arts as a vehicle to promote the national identity and image, thereby contributing to economic revival for the remainder of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38825/13]
View answer760. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps he has taken or proposes to take to maximise and promote the arts as a means of generating economic and social benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38827/13]
View answer765. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total number of persons employed directly or indirectly in the arts at present; if he will endeavour to ensure that such numbers are retained or expanded with particular reference to both the economic and cultural benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38832/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 731, 758, 760 and 765 together. The arts, culture and heritage sectors continue to offer vital opportunities for the provision of important cultural, social and employment benefits to communities throughout the country. The nature of employment within the arts sector encompasses a very wide range of activities, while cultural and heritage tourism is one of the most important elements of Ireland’s tourism product. Its scope can include those engaged in the arts practice within specific artistic genres and can also encompass areas which flow from such artistic pursuits. It may also embody the whole industrial creative sectors - the foundation of which lie in the pure arts areas. Accordingly, there are differentiated sets of figures which reflect the differing basis from which employment numbers are derived.
The arts underpin policies in attracting foreign direct investment, in the creation of an imaginative labour force, in establishing an innovative environment in which the creative and cultural industries can thrive and in the area of cultural tourism. The arts are a significant economic contributor and employer in their own right and they are also important building blocks for those economic policies the Government has identified as crucial for our economic recovery.
A report entitled An Assessment of the Economic Impact of the Arts in Ireland, published by the Arts Council in 2011, updates a previous independent evaluation by consultants Indecon of the economic impact of the arts, published in 2009. The updated report shows that the arts provide significant direct and indirect employment. The sector supports 21,328 jobs and contributes €306.8 million in taxes. The arts also impact on the wider creative industries, such as the advertising sector, architecture, fashion and design, and cultural tourism, contributing €4.7 billion to the economy and supporting 79,000 jobs.
In April last, Minister Joan Burton and I were pleased to announce a further extension of the successful JobBridge national internship scheme, which will provide for new internships in the arts sector. In association with the Arts Council, the new strand will provide exciting opportunities for those interested in careers in the arts, allowing them to gain hands-on experience and enhance their skills. The extension of the scheme will foster emerging talent in the arts and also support local arts groups in theatre, film, visual arts, dance, music, literature and more. This as an important development because it will help people take the first step towards a career in the arts. In this sector there is a long tradition of new entrants working alongside established artists, performers, practitioners and arts administrators.
Within the current economic constraints, investment in the arts, heritage, culture and creative sectors is more important than ever, having regard to the employment intensity of these sectors. While I know that the Deputy appreciates the funding difficulties facing all Departments at this time, I can assure him that I remain committed to securing the best possible level of funding for these sectors. The specific allocations to be made in future years will, of course, be dependent on the budgetary and estimates cycles in each of those years.
