Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 January 2023
9. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of organisations that have adopted the safe to create programme’s code of conduct; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3554/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Safe to Create is a Dignity at Work programme aimed at bringing change on the culture and practices of the arts sector in Ireland. It is a framework of supports to assist organisations to provide safer working conditions for artists and arts workers.
I launched the Safe to Create programme on 5 October 2022. 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. Each organisation wishing to adopt the Code is required to have Board approval in advance of signing. To date 17 organisations have already formally notified the Irish Theatre Institute that they have signed the Safe to Create Code of Conduct. I am informed that a number of other organisations have commenced the process and plan to formally adopt and sign the Code in the coming weeks. It is my intention to announce and publish the names of early adopters of the Code in the coming weeks. Thereafter, all the names of the organisations adopting the Code will be published as they sign.
The Safe to Create programme is managed by the Irish Theatre Institute, on behalf of the Department and in partnership with the Arts Council, Screen Ireland and Minding Creative Minds. 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 over €800,000 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.
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.
