Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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32. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is satisfied with the existing policies of her Department regarding supports and grants for emerging Irish artists and musicians; her views that they offer sufficient support to facilitate these persons and groups in pursuing careers in the creative industries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39540/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government appreciates the importance of the cultural and creative industries to Ireland, including the music industry. My Department provides significant support for the arts and film through its funding of the Arts Council and the Film Board while my Department provides capital supports for the development of arts and cultural infrastructure. Other financial and policy supports are also provided, for example, through the taxation system. I was particularly pleased that the Government introduced a 25% increase in the income ceiling for the artists' tax exemption for 2015. This important measure recognises the invaluable contribution which artists, including songwriters and composers, make to society and to the music industry. I am aware of the potential of the creative sector to contribute to sustainable jobs growth and my Department continues to work with other Departments in regard to the audio-visual and music sectors as part of the Government’s overall objectives under the Action Plan for Jobs.

I would also like to add that my Department - through Culture Ireland – plays a major part in promoting Irish arts and music on the world stage. In this regard, the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme will present a significant opportunity next year for the sector next year.

Issues in relation to the arts, film and music will be of particular relevance in the development of Ireland's first national cultural policy, Culture 2025. My Department has commenced the engagement in a nationwide consultation process on the development of the policy and I look forward to working further Irish artists and musicians as part of that process.

I am also pleased to have secured a 12% increase in my Department's budget for 2016. Thanks to the economic recovery, we are now in a position to invest again in our arts, culture and heritage, which will benefit artists and communities nationwide. Budget 2016 contains a number of initiatives targeted at supporting artists and the arts community. Within my Department’s overall budget of €277 million for 2015, €156 million is being provided for the arts, culture and film. The Government also recently announced a €300 million cultural and heritage investment programme, under the Government’s Exchequer Capital Investment Framework 2016-2021, to protect, promote and develop our culture and heritage.

These additional measures will provide increased support to Irish artists, both emerging and established, and underpin Governments investment in arts and culture into the future.