Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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189. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she and her Department continue to encourage the development and promotion of the arts with particular reference to the maximisation of employment opportunities arising therefrom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20117/16]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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197. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which the arts and heritage sectors continue to generate employment throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20125/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 and 197 together.

The nature of employment within the arts and heritage sectors encompasses a wide range of activities, from theatre and music to archaeology and tourism. It may also embody the industrial creative sectors, including audio-visual production.

My primary role is to support artists and the creative industries in Ireland using the mechanisms available to me across Government on common initiatives such as the Action Plan for Jobs.

In relation to assisting employment in the arts, I believe the most appropriate way to do this is to encourage the expansion of arts and cultural activity. Since my initial appointment as Minister with responsibility for the arts, I have securing increased funding for the sector year on year.

The Programme for a Partnership Governmentcontains a very important commitment to work to progressively increase funding to the arts, including the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board, as the economy continues to improve and to invest further in our heritage. I can assure the Deputy that I will be engaging with my colleagues in Government and with the Oireachtas to seek to advance this commitment in the context of the forthcoming estimates and budgetary processes.