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Artists' Remuneration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2019

Tuesday, 14 May 2019

Ceisteanna (516, 517)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

516. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if it is policy that artists who engage with bodies funded in part or whole with public funds should be paid for their work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20517/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

David Cullinane

Ceist:

517. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the oversight arrangements in place in her Department to ensure that artists are paid by bodies in receipt of public funds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20518/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 516 and 517 together.

Primary support for the Arts including visual artists is delivered through the Arts Council. The Arts Council is independent in its funding decisions under the Arts Act 2003. The strategic context for the Arts Council’s support of visual arts and all other art forms and areas of arts practice is set out in Making Great Art Work: Arts Council Strategy (2016 –2025) which is available on the Arts Council's website. This 10 year strategy describes how the Council will lead the development of the arts in Ireland over the next decade and has five priority areas: the artist; public engagement; investment strategy; spatial and demographic planning; and developing capacity. This strategy prioritises support for artists throughout their careers, by the involvement of many agencies in cultural provision, by the impact of the arts on the creative economy, and by the depth and breadth of people's engagement with the arts.

In determining the award of funding, the Arts Council includes as an assessment criterion, an organisation’s policy on the remuneration of artists. This helps to ensure that organisations in receipt of Arts Council funding offer fair and equitable remuneration to artists.

The Arts Council Visual Arts Policy & Strategy sets out how the Council plans to support visual artists over the next three years. This includes working with its funded organisations to develop principles and standards in relation to remuneration and working conditions as well as dealing with other challenges facing visual artists working in Ireland today. In addition, the strategy sets out how the Council will develop public engagement, progress specific development areas that are strategic for visual arts. The document can be accessed at the following link :

http://www.artscouncil.ie/uploadedFiles/wwwartscouncilie/Content/Research_and_Publications/Visual_arts/VA%20Policy%202019-2022%20PUBLIC.pdf

In Budget 2019, funding for the arts and culture sector increased by €22.6m to almost €190m which represents an increase of 14% on 2018. This funding comprises of €148.2m in current expenditure and €41.7m in capital investment. This includes an increase to the Arts Council funding by almost €6.8m or 10% to a total of €75m made up of €6m in current expenditure, which is more than double the increase in 2018. The vast majority of this money goes directly to artists and those working in the arts in Ireland.

In 2017, the Government launched a pilot initiative allowing visual artists and writers to apply for jobseekers benefit if and when they became unemployed. My Department is currently reviewing that pilot scheme with officials of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

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