Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

What I can confirm to the Deputy is that almost 50% of my entire budget in arts, heritage, regional, rural and Gaeltacht affairs is for the arts. As I said in my reply, the programme for a partnership Government commits to increasing funding for the arts, including the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board, as the economy improves. This is the most effective way to provide support for artists and other creative workers. Ireland has a reputation for being supportive of artists through the provision of the tax exemption for artists. I was pleased that the previous Government introduced a 25% increase in the artists' tax exemption in 2015. This important measure recognises the invaluable contribution which arts and culture practitioners make here at home and abroad. The feedback available to me indicates that artists very much welcomed the increase in the exemption limits. The Arts Council provides income supports for members of Aosdána who require it in order to allow them to work on their artistic output. In addition, my Department, through Culture Ireland, plays a major part in promoting Irish arts and music on the world stage.

See this speech in context