Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

66. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the human resources processes that are in place in agencies funded by the Arts Council; the details of the independent resource appointed to deal with allegations of misconduct at a theatre (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47908/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

All employers, including organisations funded by the Arts Council, are subject to employment legislation and their boards have a duty to ensure compliance with statutory requirements and that their staff can work in a safe and respectful environment.

Arising from the allegations and reports of misconduct in the workplace, last week I announced a suite of measures on sexual harassment and abuse of power in the workplace in conjunction with the Arts Council.

I have invited the group of eight leaders from Irish theatre organisations to a meeting to discuss ways in which my Department and the Arts Council together can support the sector in creating a safe culture and environment for those working in the industry.

I will be collaborating with our National Theatre to facilitate an industry-wide consultation exercise that will be held in partnership with the Arts Council.

While all workplaces are obliged to comply with employment legislation, I have identified a number of actions that I intend to take, as Minister, which include:

- Arranging separate dedicated governance workshops for board members and senior staff of bodies reporting to the Department. There will be a particular emphasis on issues relating to bullying, abuse of power and sexual harassment in the workplace;

- Working on a collaborative basis with the Arts Council to make similar training available to other cultural organisations and arts centres around the country at a series of regional information days;

- Highlighting once again to bodies reporting to the Department the nature of their legal obligations, by seeking assurances of their compliance with obligations under employment legislation;

- Accelerating a planned review of compliance by bodies reporting to the Department with the requirements of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.

I am aware of the decision by the theatre referred to in the question to appoint an independent expert to conduct an independent review of recent allegations but have no role in relation to this appointment.