Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, for taking this issue. As we know, during past two years, among those who have been most heavily affected and impacted have been our artists, musicians and those who are involved in the events and creative sectors. It is not just because of a loss of income, but for many of them being unable to perform or engage in artistic works has impacted as well on their identity. It is important that this scheme is right.

I know that it is a commitment of the programme for Government. It is something the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Catherine Martin, is personally very keen on and, indeed, across the House the support for the arts is very visible. I am aware the Minister set aside €25 million for the scheme this year. I am hoping the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, will be able to provide us with some updates on the scheme. I genuinely believe that if we get this scheme right in terms of supporting artists and we can pass out the intermittence du spectacle scheme that operates in France to support artists, it could be, perhaps, the most revolutionary scheme since Charles Haughey introduced the tax exemption scheme for artists during the 1960s. It could help to cement Ireland's reputation as a cultural and creative centre.

Consultation took place with a number of arts groups in December and there was an online consultation that took place in January. There is real anticipation among the arts and creative communities around trying to get answers now on how this scheme will operate. I hope the Minister of State will be able to give us details on the plan's roll-out. The indication was that it would be in early 2022. Do we have a timeframe?

Have we, as yet, any indication of who will be covered? The arts and creative industries, as the Minister of State knows, are quite broad, and I would be keen to include dance teachers and choreographers who are working around the country. A very broad range of individuals, including musicians, drama directors, set designers and costume designers, are involved in the arts and creative sectors.It is important for the scheme to be a success that it tries to be as broad as possible. Is there any update with regard to the selection process? How is it determined who is going to qualify for this scheme? How will it be qualified? Will there be an appeals mechanism for those who are refused?

I do not know whether the Department has yet measured the level of interest. I can only know by talking to arts organisations and others that there is huge enthusiasm about this. If there is anticipation of the level of interest, and while we do not want to raise too many expectations, can we be certain we are going to meet some of the expectations that have been raised? Crucially also, how do we measure success? How do we know this scheme, which we all want to work, will be successful? For me, it is going to be that we are supporting artists during the fallow period when they are working on creating some of their work, but at the same time they need certainty of an income. What will the relationship be between the artist social welfare scheme that currently exists and this new basic income?

It is an exciting project but it is important we provide as much clarity as possible for those who are anticipating its introduction. The application process should be relatively simple but I would like to see it as a broad scheme, covering as wide a range as possible of those within the creative sector. I have raised this before with the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin. She is equally enthusiastic, as I hope the Minister of State is. I hope in his response he will be able to give us some of those answers.