Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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179. 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 Oireachtas committee on jobs, enterprise and innovation on the hearings which examined 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. [31294/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department appreciates the importance of the cultural and creative industries to Ireland and is aware of the report referred to in the Question. My Department provides significant support for the arts and film through its funding of the Arts Council and the Film Board, as well as through its capital supports for the development of arts and cultural infrastructure.

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. Much of this work does respond to relevant issues identified in the report referred to, particularly in relation to the audio-visual sector and how the contribution of this sector to the Irish economy can be optimised. For example, my Department is currently commissioning an economic study on the audio-visual sector. The creative industries are of significant relevance in the development of Ireland's first national cultural policy Culture 2025. The draft framework policy Éire Ildánach/Culture 2025 was forwarded to the Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in July. This first such policy will be a living document and will form the basis of an on-going dialogue with all who are interested in cultural policy.

My Department will also consider the relevant recommendations in the report referred to by the Deputy in the context of this on-going policy work.

I believe that it is important to continue momentum in terms of delivery of the priorities set out in the framework policy and to build on the positive legacy of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme. My Department has, therefore, been developing a cross-Government initiative to mainstream culture and creativity in the life of the nation and to promote individual, community and national well-being. This will focus on boosting cultural provision and participation in communities and harnessing the goodwill and engagement generated by the commemorative programme this year. It will also act as the main vehicle to take forward the priorities identified in Culture 2025.

I have secured funding of €5m in Budget 2017 to underpin this new initiative and I intend to announce further details in the coming weeks.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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180. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has had any engagement with stakeholders in the music industry in terms of the establishment of a music industry task force 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. [31295/16]

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. Under the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts, including music, throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council.

In this regard, I am pleased that I secured significant additional funding for the Arts Council as part of Budget 2017, which will see an increase in its allocation of €5 m, or 8%. This increase will enable the Council to enhance support to artists and arts organisations around the country, including musicians, in line with its strategy statement, Making Great Art Work, which prioritises support for the artist and public engagement.

In addition, my Department, through Culture Ireland, provides supports for Irish artists and musicians to travel abroad and develop their careers. I am pleased that I have increased the annual baseline funding for Culture Ireland from €2.5m in 2016 to €3.5m in 2017.

My Department also provides support for music through its funding of the Music Capital Scheme, which is delivered by Music Network, as well as providing significant funding to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, the largest organisation in the State involved in the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music.

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. The broader issue of cultural policy is also considered in the draft Framework Policy Éire Ildánach/Culture 2025,which was forwarded to the Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in July. I will be happy to consider any response which the Committee makes to the draft document.

In relation to intellectual property rights and copyright law, this is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, and my Department liaises with his Department on these issues on an on-going basis, in so far as they relate to the cultural sector.