Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Sinn Féin will also support this Bill. It is a short, technical Bill that allows for the maximum amount of any investments, loans, grants, moneys and guarantees, less recoveries, provided by Screen Ireland to fund Irish film making to be raised from €300 million to €500 million.There have been five predecessors to this Bill with similar effect in terms of raising the ceiling for investment, which highlights the high levels of activity in Irish film. Screen Ireland, formerly the Irish Film Board, IFB, has seen the Irish film industry go from strength to strength in the last decade in particular. While we are certainly holding our own in the global market, funding has yet to return to 2008 levels. The austerity years saw the IFB's budget cut by 44% from €20 million to €11.2 million in 2014. Budget 2019 has seen Government investment move towards 2008 levels, reaching €18 million. This is very welcome, as is the extension of section 481. However, I call on the Minister to be cognisant of the issues raised during the Second Stage debate in the Dáil. The working conditions of artists is an issue that needs serious consideration. While the industry itself has endured under-funding, it has still managed to produce creative works of global acclaim. Often there is an acceptance of the precarious nature of work in film. I studied film in Galway Mayo Institute of Technology but precarious income leads to precarious lives. Many in the industry lack financial certainty and cannot plan their future as a result. Much of the endurance we see across the arts is offset by a 17,000 strong workforce who largely work in the sector because of their creative passion. However, that is not a substitute for regular and secure income. We must try to ascertain how best to support those who make Irish film world renowned.

In response to Deputy Ó Snodaigh in the Dáil, the Minister cited that the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill as a means of combatting precarious work practices in film and has done so again this evening. While that legislation may have some impact, it does not apply to those working on different projects for different employers and who are unsure of the period of employment from one project to the next. One possible solution to this is the extension of the artist's social welfare scheme, which is the responsibility of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, who has just been with us in the Chamber. Consideration should be given to extending that scheme to workers in film and other performing arts, as a scheme that recognises artists as self-employed and supports them to produce and exercise creativity in a sector that does not offer consistent employment. There are no advertisements in The Irish Timesfor workers in art, film or culture generally. While I appreciate that the scheme is not within the remit of the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, I hope her Department is engaging with the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection on the artist's social welfare scheme which needs to be expanded.

I understand amendments tabled by Deputy Ó Snodaigh to provide for an annual report from Screen Ireland on workers' conditions was not accepted under standing orders. I would encourage the Minister to consider requiring Screen Ireland, the Arts Council and Culture Ireland to report annually to her Department on the issues relevant to their respective areas. In 2009, the heritage sector had an impact worth approximately €1.5 billion and created 24,000 jobs. In 2010, the wider arts sector, excluding film and video, had an impact of €1.4 billion and created 10,000 jobs while in 2015, the audiovisual sector had an impact of €1.1 billion and also created 10,000 jobs. However, one of the problems that we face is that these figures come from different years and that is part of the challenge in understanding the value of our culture. If we want to best equip the Minister and her Department when it comes to budget time, it would be wise for the aforementioned agencies to regularly report on the impact they are having so that we can reward them properly.

Artists themselves are mobilising around these issues. Just last week I attended a theatre forum event on working conditions and the National Campaign for the Arts has been particularly vocal on this. We must have a conversation in these Chambers about this. Recently published CSO statistics show that artists earned 3.5% less in the first quarter of 2018 than in the first quarter of 2013, despite fairly consistent and gradual increases in funding over the period. I look forward to hearing the Minister's views on these issues.

Finally, in her opening statement she said that Screen Ireland is committed to operating to the highest standards of corporate governance and has put in place an approved code of governance framework which consists of a suite of governance documents setting out the policies, procedures and responsibilities which determine how Screen Ireland conducts its business. Does this also apply to those to whom Screen Ireland allocates funds?