Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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137. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the supports in place for aging artists in this State, once they have reached retirement age; and, in view of their valuable contribution to cultural life, if a system of assessment of lifetime earnings within the State will be developed with the aim of supporting those without financial security in old age. [5518/15]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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I ask the Minister to consider the supports that are in place or need to be in place for aging artists in the State once they reach retirement age or are in ill health in later years, given their valued contribution to the cultural life of the State.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The nature of employment within the arts sector encompasses a wide range of activities. It can include those engaged in the arts practice within specific artistic genres and can encompass areas that flow from such artistic pursuits. It may also embody the industrial creative sectors, including audiovisual production. Therefore, income and pension arrangements for artists can vary widely across the sector.

The Government appreciates the importance of the arts, culture and the creative industries to society and to the international artistic reputation of this country. Ireland has a reputation for being supportive of artists through the provision of the tax exemption for artists. I was particularly pleased that the Government introduced a 25% increase in the artists' tax exemption for 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 welcome the increase in the exemption limits. The scheme ensures that Ireland continues to be a place where the work of artists is valued and where their place in society is assured.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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We all have heard and have been told stories over the years of some of our most famous artists, creative thinkers, painters, actors, etc. dying in abject poverty and destitution. It is not an image of which Ireland should be proud. I seek that the Department would look at ways to ensure that there is some type of safety net to capture such artists when in ill health or infirm because of old age to help them through their ill health in order that they are not left destitute and in poverty. The Department should also look at ways to ensure that there is a mechanism to capture and recognise their lifelong contribution for pension and other purposes to ensure that they are appreciated, not only through their art but also in their lifetime.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In addition to what I mentioned earlier, Aosdána, which was established in 1981, is a unique State initiative which honours artists whose work has made an outstanding contribution to the arts in Ireland. Membership of Aosdána, which is by peer nomination and election, is limited to 250 living artists who have produced a distinguished body of work. Members of Aosdána may avail under certain conditions of the Cnuas, a stipend which is designed to enable them to devote their energies fully to their work. A defined contribution pension scheme, to which the Arts Council also contributes, is in place for all members of Aosdána.

With regard to State pensions, I understand that artists can avail of such pensions subject to the standard eligibility conditions. Where a person does not meet the qualifying conditions for a contributory State pension, I understand that he or she may apply for the means-tested, non-contributory State pension.

There is merit in Deputy Ó Snodaigh's proposal to support artists who are off sick or unable to work due to illness. As the economy improves, that merits consideration.