Heather Humphreys defends Department’s work assisting artists

Minister for the Arts Heather Humphreys has defended her Department's work in assisting artists as much as possible.

She told the Dáil the impact of the economic crisis also hit hard on the budgets in her department and “reflected the burden shouldered by people throughout the country”.

She said, however, that with the recovery “we are now in a position to invest in our arts, culture and heritage sectors in a way that will benefit communities nationwide”.

She said the 12 per cent increase in the 2016 budget would assist artists and arts organisation.

“The department principally supports artists and arts organisations through the work of the Arts Council, which is in receipt

of €15 million to run a number of programmes and initiatives to support artists and art organisations, events and festivals throughout the country”.

Fianna Fáil arts spokesman Seán Ó Fearghaíl said the issue of copyright “has an impact on people in all disciplines” and criticised the lack of action on collective pay negotiations.

“Currently, competition law prevents actors who do voiceovers, for example, for advertisements, musicians or freelance journalists from negotiating pay collectively.”

The Association of Artists’ Representatives Organisations sought legislation to address this particular difficulty in collective bargaining.

“Competition law has an impact on the capacity of many practising artists to generate the sort of revenue they need to operate and maintain a decent standard of living.”

Ms Humphreys said the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation “is in the process of developing legislative proposals for consideration by Government”.