Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the full extent to which he expects to utilise the area of the arts and heritage to contribute to job creation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5203/12]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 81: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to develop the creative sector of the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4750/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 81 together.

Positioned at the core of local, regional, urban and rural activities, the arts, creative and heritage-related sectors play a pivotal part in the economic life of communities across the country, including the vital area of employment. Employment in the arts sector embraces a very diverse and broad extent of activities, encompassing those engaged in specific arts practice, as well associated wider elements.

I believe strongly that cultural tourism can contribute in a significant way to the restoration of the economy and the creation of jobs. A 2009 study reported that employment dependent on the arts, culture and creative sectors combined was 170,000, or 8.7% of total employment in the economy. Taking into account economic multipliers, the same study estimated that the value added dependent on the arts, culture and creative sectors was €11.8 billion, or 7.6% of total GNP.

A more recent study by Indecon in 2011 showed that total employment in the wider arts sector, which includes film and video, museums and other cultural activities, literature and publishing, amounted to 21,300 and contributed €716m (GVA) to the economy in 2010. I will continue to work to build on these foundations.