Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the degree to which he has focused on and promoted arts and heritage activity in the context of meeting specific targets towards economic revival; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42344/12]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent of any discussions he has had with the various stakeholders in respect of Arts, Heritage and or associated cultural activity in the context of economic regeneration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42345/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 142 together.

The Government's priorities for the arts are set out in the Programme for Government and are further elaborated upon in my Department's Statement of Strategy. Furthermore, in relation to the Government's Action Plan for Jobs, published in February 2012, there are a number of specific actions to be undertaken by my Department and the agencies under its remit in the areas of arts, culture and creative enterprise.

The Government appreciates and values the contribution the arts sector makes to the economic activity of this country. 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 diverse and broad extent of activities, encompassing those engaged in specific arts practice, as well associated wider elements. Within the current economic constraints, investment in the arts, culture and creative sectors is more important than ever, having regard to the employment intensity of the sector.

The arts and culture sectors continue to offer vital opportunities for the provision of important cultural, social and employment benefits to communities throughout the country. The nature of employment within the arts sector encompasses a very wide range of activities. It can include those engaged in the arts practice within specific artistic genres and can also encompass areas which flow from such artistic pursuits. It may also embody the whole industrial creative sectors, including the audiovisual production sector.

A 2011 study by Indecon 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 in Gross Value Added to the economy in 2010.

Since taking office, I have engaged extensively with all of the main stakeholders working in those areas which fall into the remit of my Department with a view to promoting employment and economic activity to the greatest extent possible, while recognising the intrinsic value of arts, cultural and heritage activities in themselves.