Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 October 2018
222. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the precarious working terms and conditions, lack of training, lack of health and safety and lack of pension provision to many workers in the film and television production industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41561/18]
View answerThe Government launched its Audiovisual Action Plan in June 2018. To implement its recommendations, a high-level Steering group has been established with representatives of all Government Departments and State Agencies that have an interest in or involvement with the audiovisual industry. In the meantime, the Joint Oireachtas Committee published a Report entitled Development and Working Conditions in the Irish Film Industry in July. The Committee's Report and the Audiovisual Action Plan have significant overlap and share the objectives of developing the Irish Audiovisual Industry and improving employment within it. The Steering Group will address both the Plan and the Committee Report.
It is important to note that employees in every industry and sector are entitled to all existing legal protections. In addition to existing legislation, the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection has brought forward the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017 to improve the security and predictability of working hours for employees on insecure contracts and those working variable hours. This legislation responds specifically to the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to address the problems caused by the increased casualisation of work and to strengthen the regulation of precarious work. The Bill completed Report and Final Stage in the Dáil on 12th July 2018 and I understand that it will be introduced in the Seanad this autumn.
