Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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74. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to have discussions with the Arts Council regarding proposed cuts to grants for non productive artists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20374/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I understand that the question relates to a review of Aosdána which is being carried out by the Arts Council.

Aosdana is a unique initiative established by the Arts Council in 1981 to honour creative artists who have made a significant contribution to the arts in Ireland.  There are currently some 250 members of Aosdána, including seven new members who came into membership last week. The scheme is the responsibility of the Arts Council and not my Department. It should be noted that under section 24(2) of the Arts Act 2003 the Council is independent of the Minister in its funding decisions.

Members of Aosdána can qualify for a means-tested payment known as the Cnuas if they are resident in Ireland and are full-time practising artists.

Following recent internal audits of Aosdána and a Value for Money Policy Review of the Arts Council - which was undertaken under the guidance of an expert Steering Committee chaired by Dr. John O’Hagan, Professor of Economics at Trinity College - the Arts Council is reviewing all aspects of the administration and procedures of Aosdána to ensure the most appropriate governance and oversight arrangements are in place.  

In regard to any issues which arise from the review of the Aosdána, these are a matter for the Arts Council and Aosdána and I would encourage dialogue between the parties to resolve them.