Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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67. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he has had discussions with the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs regarding the establishment of a specific social protection payment for artists; if there interdepartmental initiatives planned to ensure support for artists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17715/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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One of the initiatives announced as part of the Creative Ireland Programmewhich was launched by the Taoiseach in December was that the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in conjunction with my Department would devise a mechanism during 2017 to assist self-employed artists who have applied for Jobseeker’s Allowance.

I have been in contact with my colleague the Minister for Arts on the matter and officials of our two Departments have already begun working on this initiative in consultation with the Arts Council. Details of the pilot scheme will be announced as soon as possible.