Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is wonderful that 1,000 artists have availed of the exemption but I assure the Minister that thousands of artists in the creative industries are unable to access or avail of the exemption. That is why I urge the Minister to keep an open mind on reviewing and broadening the scheme. I invited representatives of Theatre Forum to Leinster House at the beginning of the year. It is stark and frightening that some artists are unable to afford certain basic services such as rent, childcare and healthcare.

Global Ireland 2025 committed the Government to implementing a range of further measures internationally, including the promotion of Irish arts, heritage and culture to new generations and audiences across the world. One of the key issues raised by the representatives of Theatre Forum in January is the position of Irish artists in Ireland compared to the esteem in which they are held when they represent Ireland abroad. This is a valid issue. When artists attend embassies or go abroad, they are held in high esteem, but the reality when they come home is that many cannot afford rent, childcare or healthcare.

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