Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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133. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the Arts Council is giving consideration to policies that would link the awarding of grant funding to the implementation of robust anti-bullying and sexual harassment procedures; when such consideration is due to conclude; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51415/17]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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HR issues including anti-bullying and sexual harassment procedures are in the first place a matter for the Boards and directors of arts organisations including theatres and any of the other cultural institutions. The Boards of organisations funded by my Departments, including those bodies directly under my Department's remit, should ensure that as employers, they are compliant with all employment legislation, including those aspects relating to bullying and harassment in the workplace.

While the Arts Council is independent in its funding decisions, I understand a number of conditions related to financial assistance being operated by the Council apply to its funding recipients. These conditions include a requirement that recipients must comply with all laws applicable to the body in question, including statutory obligations under employment law, statutes, regulations and revenue requirements. In addition, recipients must avoid any form of discriminatory practice and have regard for the need to promote equal opportunities in all areas of work in compliance with the provisions of the Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2011. I also understand that the Arts Council will be reviewing its conditions in the light of recent events.

Everyone is entitled to be treated with respect, dignity, fairness and equality in the workplace. In recent times, there have been a number of alarming allegations and reports of sexual harassment and bullying in the workplace relating to the arts community. While all workplaces are obliged to comply with employment legislation, my predecessor has identified a number of actions that can be taken in respect of the bodies reporting to my Department.

These actions include:

- arranging separate dedicated governance workshops for board members and senior staff, with 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; and

- 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 confident that these support measures will contribute to the further enhancement of existing governance structures in bodies reporting to my Department.