Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 March 2017
50. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps taken and grants given to provide income for artists, in view of the recent findings from a study (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11764/17]
View answerUnder the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Arts Council is dedicated to supporting a vibrant community of visual artists, visual arts groups and organisations so that the public can experience the highest standard of visual arts, in urban and in rural parts of Ireland.
The strategic context for the Arts Council’s support all areas of arts practice is set out in Making Great Art Work: Arts Council Strategy (2016 –2025). This describes how the Council will lead the development of the arts in Ireland over the next decade. Its strategy has five priority areas: the artist; public engagement; investment strategy; spatial and demographic planning; and developing capacity.
The Arts Council offers a number of complementary supports so that visual artists can develop their practice and create artistic work. Through its partnership with Culture Ireland and a number of Cultural Institutions, the Council supports representation of visual artists internationally. A number of schemes and initiatives have been established by the Arts Council towards the support of visual arts and full details can be accessed on the Arts Council website at the following link:
http://www.artscouncil.ie/Arts-in-Ireland/Visual-arts/Schemes-and-initatives/.
In Budget 2017, I secured significant additional funding for the Arts Council of €5m, or 8%. The increase will assist the Council in implementing its 10-year strategy. It also reaffirms the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to progressively increase funding for the arts as the economy improves.
Artists may benefit under the artists' exemption tax relief (Section 195 Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA 1997). The first €50,000 per annum of income earned by writers, composers, visual artists and sculptors from the sale of their work is exempt from income tax in Ireland.
In December, 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 launched in December. Details of the pilot scheme will be announced as soon as possible.
