Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Although the Minister says the people in the music industry are valued, due to the lack of structure, they do not feel that their worth is being recognised. Has the Government examined other countries such as Iceland, which responded to its financial crash in 2008 by investing in a creative economy? Iceland's creative industries contribute as much to the country's economic turnover as the aluminium industry, which dominates its export market. The success is due to focusing public funding on the export of home-grown acts and the nurturing of interest in Icelandic music abroad through artists' grants and travel supports such as the Icelandic Music Export, IMX, fund. It is possible to change how things are and it would be a great investment on the part of the State. Has the Minister had any consultation with the Department of Social Protection regarding a mechanism to assist with the living conditions of artists in a way that does not require them to declare themselves unemployed?

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