Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 January 2023
44. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on the ‘Speak Up: A Call for Change’ report which was commissioned by an organisation (details supplied); and what actions she intends to take to address its findings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3705/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware I launched the Speak Up: A Call for Change Report on 21 October 2021. The Report is the result of a collaboration between my Department and the Irish Theatre Institute (ITI) with the survey commissioned by the ITI and paid for by my Department.
The Safe to Create Programme is the response to the recommendations of Speak Up: A Call for Change Report. I was pleased to be able to launch the Safe to Create Programme on 5 October 2022.
Safe to Create is a Dignity at Work programme aimed at bringing change on the culture and practices of the arts and creative sectors in Ireland. It is a framework of supports to assist organisations to provide safer working conditions for artists and arts workers.
The planned outcome of the Programme is to transform culture and practices through training, information, voluntary compliance and certification, and provide key support for victims/survivors in the areas of reporting, counselling, and legal advice. I also announced funding of €782,000 for the Programme in 2023.
The Safe to Create website provides a Dignity at Work Toolkit for organisations and individuals in the creative sector. It features practical information, guidance, toolkits and templates for artists, arts workers and organisations on ‘Dignity at Work’ rights and responsibilities.
There is a 24-hour wellbeing and support programme provided to everyone in the arts, culture and creative sectors by Minding Creative Minds. It includes specialist trauma and abuse counselling for victims of harmful behaviour via a free 24/7 dedicated phone line; confidential one-to-one counselling; and access to legal advice.
The programme includes a Code of Behaviour developed for organisations that are encouraged to adopt and therefore enable arts and creative organisations to provide workplaces free from bullying, harassment and intimidation.
Safe to Create online courses in tackling bullying and harassment, addressing unconscious bias in the workplace and Bystander intervention were developed in partnership with Screen Ireland specifically for the arts and creative sectors.
The Safe to Create programme continues to be managed by the Irish Theatre Institute, on behalf of the Department and in partnership with the Arts Council, Screen Ireland and Minding Creative Minds.
