Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)

I agree with everything the Minister said in both parts of his reply, which is basically all about the importance of the arts. I fully subscribe to that and agree with the Minister. My concern is that there will be job losses in the industry, which the Minister has acknowledged. It is almost inevitable. There is no reason this, no more than any other industry, should be insulated from that.

I wish to raise two points. We have a tracking mechanism for many of the industries such as the construction industry, the catering industry and so on. Could we not find a way to establish exactly what jobs in the industry have been lost or are likely to be lost? My other point is that two or three jobs will be lost here and there, the immediate effect of which may not be noticeable, but for the individuals concerned it will be just as damaging and as important as if 100 jobs were lost in another area.

Those with arts related jobs must keep up to speed. The Minister mentioned the development in the digital area, which is rapidly advancing. If people in this industry lose their jobs, will the Minister discuss with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment ways to refocus or redirect those people into jobs to enable them to keep their skills up to date and to be effectively employed in a valuable way, for example, in schools or in communities? There are various ways in which they could be employed.

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