Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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45. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the cases raised in an article in a newspaper (details supplied); the steps she will take to address the flaws in the system to ensure that artists with disabilities are not faced with such barriers; and if she will arrange to meet with organisations as a matter of urgency to prepare a solution. [47943/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The matter of the amounts of income disregards that are allowed in order to qualify for social assistance payments such as Disability Allowance, are solely a matter for my colleague the Minister for Social Protection.

The Arts Council, as the Government agency with responsibility for the arts and artists, provides specific supports for artists with disabilities. The Council funds key agencies that have a central role in supporting these areas of work including Arts and Disability Ireland and others. All awards and schemes operated by the Arts Council are informed by the Arts Council‘s Equality, Human Rights & Diversity Policy & Strategy as well as its Paying the Artist policy.

Access to participation in arts and culture is one of the cornerstones of national cultural policy. Culture 2025 underpins the right of everyone to participate in the cultural and creative life of the nation. As Minister, I work with the Council of National Cultural Institutions to encourage the development of access to all audiences, including for people with disabilities.