Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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53. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the action she will take to address the issues of very low incomes among arts practitioners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43504/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government appreciates the importance of the arts, culture and the creative industries to Irish society and to the international artistic reputation of this country. Ireland has a reputation for being supportive of artists through the provision of the tax exemption for artists.Income and pension arrangements for artists can vary widely across the sector. Employment in the arts sector encompasses a wide range of activities. It can include those engaged in the arts practice within specific artistic genres and encompass areas that flow from such artistic pursuits. It may also embody the industrial creative sectors, including audiovisual production.

I was particularly pleased that the Government introduced a 25% increase in the artists' tax exemption for 2015. This measure recognises the invaluable contribution which arts and culture practitioners make here at home and abroad.

Aosdána was established in 1981 and is a unique State initiative which honours artists whose work has made an outstanding contribution to the arts in Ireland. There are up to 250 artists who are members of Aosdána. A means-tested grant is available to members and is designed to enable them to devote their energies fully to their work. Artists can also avail of other State supports and payments, subject to the standard eligibility conditions.

The Arts Council has recently published its strategy "Making Great Art Work", which sets out its plans for leading the development of the arts in Ireland over the next decade. It has a particular focus on the role of artists.

Finally, my Department through its support for the Arts Council, the Film Board, and other cultural initiatives also provides significant support for creative workers in Ireland. This year, as part of Budget 2016, I was pleased to announce a 12% increase in allocations across a range of areas, including the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, and a new investment programme for regional arts and cultural centres. There will be significant benefits accruing for artists and creative workers from many of the Ireland 2016 programmes supported by this additional funding, including at an international level.