Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2017
70. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the status of the co-ordinated scheme between the Department of Social Protection and her Department to assist artists applying for jobseeker's allowance; and when information will be provided regarding this scheme to artists around the country. [4183/17]
View answerLast month, I announced that my Department in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection would devise a mechanism during 2017 to assist self-employed artists who have applied for Jobseeker’s Allowance.
I have been in contact with my colleague the Minister for Social Protection on the matter and officials of our two Departments have already begun working on this initiative in consultation with the Arts Council. The scheme will be a pilot scheme and is part of the Creative Ireland Programme which was launched by the Taoiseach in December. Details of the pilot scheme will be announced as soon as possible.
