Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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614. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to support the development of the creative industries sector; if she has reviewed the report from the previous Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on the hearings relating to examining the potential for job creation, innovation and balanced economic development in the creative economy; and if she will implement the recommendations of the report in tandem with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. [13602/16]

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 keenly aware of the potential of the creative sector to contribute to sustainable jobs growth and my Department continues to work with other Departments, in particular with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation across a range of areas as set out in the Action Plan for Jobs.

My Department - through Culture Ireland – also plays a major part in promoting Irish arts and music on the world stage.

Issues in relation to the creative industries are also of relevance in the development of Ireland's first national cultural policy, Culture 2025, which I intend to finalise shortly. The issue of reviewing the structures which support the cultural sector will be considered in the context of any next steps arising from the publication of Culture 2025.

Regarding the report referred to, my Department will consider the relevant recommendations in the context of the policy work being undertaken by my Department as set out above.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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615. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has had engaged with stakeholders in the music industry in terms of the establishment of a music industry taskforce with wide representation, which would examine a range of issues, including the impact of intellectual property and copyright legislation and enforcement in both the music and technology industries, supports for the business of music education and a dedicated office similar to the Irish Film Board for the music sector. [13603/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Under the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Arts Council is the main channel of State current expenditure on the arts and will receive over €60 million in 2016. The Arts Council's strategy statement, Making Great Art Work, sets out the Arts Council plans to lead the development of the arts in the decade to 2025 and prioritises two policy areas, the artist and public engagement.

The IMRO report, entitled The Socio-Economic Contribution of Music to the Irish Economy,highlights the impressive contribution the music industry makes to the Irish economy. The report contains a broad range of recommendations for which several Ministers have responsibility.

In this context, the issues of supporting musicians and artists was raised in the discussion during the public consultation phases held as part of developing the proposed new national cultural policy. My commitment to deliver Ireland's first national cultural policy Culture 2025offers an opportunity to consider how arts and culture can be embedded right across Government.

Copyright law is a matter for the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.