Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

Will the Leader arrange for a debate on performing artists? The Minister for Social and Family Affairs should attend the House for such a debate. According to recent newspaper reports, performing artists who are out of work must present themselves for work. In many cases they have to undertake work other than theatrical or other work related to their profession. As a result they do not receive social welfare payments and cannot progress in their chosen area of endeavour. In the context of tax exemptions for artists and writers, and the creation of Aosdána, those in the theatrical profession should be allowed to pursue their vocation without having to go before inspectors who will deny them social welfare payments unless they undertake work other than that which they have been trained to do.