Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is important to note that figure included €6 million of capital funding, whereas the funding figure for the Arts Council for 2020 does not. There is a distinction to be drawn in that regard. One must bear in mind the €1.2 billion in capital investment. I acknowledge Deputy Ó Snodaigh's comments regarding the doubling of arts funding. The Taoiseach made that commitment and I want to see it happen. I see no reason for it not to happen. As Deputies are aware, there have been difficult circumstances this year due to Brexit but we are on the right trajectory, as I stated yesterday in the House.

Deputy Ó Snodaigh asked about the theatre sector report, as did Deputy Boyd Barrett. I do not wish to engage in a statistical debate on the matter but according to CSO statistics earnings in the sector grew by 3.3% in 2018, in line with the increase in earnings across the country.

Deputy Boyd Barrett raised issues relating to employment conditions in the audiovisual industry. He also raised them yesterday in the House. I know it is an issue about which he is passionate. He will be aware that it is currently the subject of an examination by the Workplace Relations Commission. That is not to say there are no challenges which we must consider. Certainly, the situation he described seems to be exploitative and should be reported to Screen Ireland because, if his information is correct, it is not something which could be stood over. I do not wish to comment on any particular film producers but the situation he described should not happen. If it has happened, we should not stand for it and it should be sorted out.

I point out to Deputy Lawlor, who has left the Chamber, that the Arts Council has a memorandum of understanding with the Irish Research Council to allow it to work with PhD graduates. I agree there is a dearth of research in the broad culture policy arena. The Creative Ireland programme supports a new online digital repository for arts in education research which was launched in October of this year.

Deputy Lawlor referred to festival funding. As Deputies are aware, there are three primary sources for such funding, namely, Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council and my Department.

It was lovely to hear about Deputy O'Loughlin's father and large family all being involved in amateur dramatics. As she may know, for the first time in more than a decade, in this year's budget the Department was able to provide funding of €250,000 to amateur dramatic and musical societies. That is an acknowledgement of the work they do. I agree with the Deputy that they are embedded in each community, locality and constituency. Many people go on from them to further their acting and musical career and we wish to support such societies. I was very pleased to be able to do so.

As Deputies are aware, artists' salaries are not the responsibility of the Department. On this matter there is a principle of keeping an arm's length between the Department and the Arts Council, which independently decides what each artist and arts organisation receives. Ultimately, it is for the Arts Council to stipulate whether there is a minimum wage.

I appreciate Deputy O'Loughlin's comments on Youth Theatre Ireland. Peter Hussey, to whom she referred, has much experience in that area. Creative Ireland also supported the national amateur drama final in County Clare, which was a great success.

I thank the committee for producing this very comprehensive report. I very much welcome its publication. It is an important contribution to policy deliberation in the sector. As I stated, the arts should be imbued in the fabric of Irish society. All present are ad idemin that regard. On my travels, I have seen how culture and creativity in the arts play such an integral and pivotal part in other countries. This country punches far above its weight in terms of talent and output. We are doing all we can in this area. I reassure every Deputy who is present or went to the trouble of compiling or working on the report that I am endeavouring to do everything I can to support the arts. I enjoy the arts and they are of great importance for the individual and collective well-being of all members of society, no matter what their age. I will try to continue to support the arts as best I can. We have made significant progress through the years, particularly through the Creative Ireland programme, the increases in Arts Council funding and the matters to which I made reference yesterday in the House such as the Per Cent for Art scheme which had not been looked at since 1997 and goes a long way towards helping artists and also, it is hoped, the aesthetic around various institutions, buildings and possibly street art which will enhance everybody's lives from visual and economic perspectives.

The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, and I worked on the social welfare scheme which has been extended. It is a positive signal to artists. Deputy Boyd Barrett and others have made reference in the House to the precarious position in which artists may find themselves. We must try to support them in any way we can. I am endeavouring to do so and to find mechanisms whereby I can support them. Obviously, we do not want artists to have to avail of social welfare but, if they do they will, at least, be provided with a year in which they will not be subject to normal labour activation measures and will be able to work on their art. That is important.

I will continue to reflect on the recommendations made in this significant report. A large amount of work has gone into it. It was helpful for various agencies, Departments and witnesses to appear before the committee and have their say. Many of them are well known in the industry and it is important that they are listened to because they are at the coalface of this matter and know the challenges intimately. I thank Deputies for their contributions.

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