The government launched a pilot scheme which will make it easier for visual artists and writers to declare themselves as self-employed and get access to social welfare payments.
As part of the Creative Ireland programme, Minister for Social Protection and the now Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, and Minister for the Arts, Heather Humphreys, announced details of the scheme which will extend the jobseekers payments to include those classified as professional artists.
In order to avail of the scheme, visual artists will have to be registered with the Visual Artists Ireland body and writers will have to do the same with the Irish Writers’ Centre.
The changes will allow both to claim benefits when they are not working directly on a paid project and means they are exempt from the Jobseekers activation process for the first year.
Speaking at the Poetry Ireland headquarters in Parnell Square on Monday, Minister Humphreys said:
"Artists are at the very centre of the Creative Ireland programme, and I have been particularly keen for some time now to do more to recognise the income challenges faced by artists. This pilot scheme is not a panacea, but it is a clear sign that the Government recognises the vital role that artists play in Irish society and their contribution."
This social welfare pilot for artists is a key commitment of the #CreativeIreland programme: we respect artists & their professionalism pic.twitter.com/XSIQZlFj2D
— Heather Humphreys (@HHumphreysFG) June 12, 2017
Speaking at the launch of the programme, the new Taoiseach Leo Varadkar acknowledged the role artists play in shaping this country at home and abroad and described how this policy is designed to support those who have gaps in income opportunities over the course of their careers.
"Ireland is world-famous as a haven for art and artists who are central to our culture. This reputation for artistic achievement is part of our global USP... I believe it is only right that we allow for some flexibility within the social welfare system to allow artists to access social welfare supports when they need them.
"Up to now, artists have found it difficult to access social welfare and of course many artists take on extra jobs to support their livelihoods."
The pilot scheme, which will run for an initial period of twelve months, is the first practical policy implementation driven by the Creative Ireland programme, a five-year initiative which places creativity at the centre of public policy. Following further review, it is intended that the scheme will be rolled out to other disciplines within the arts.
Minister Heather Humphries was recently reappointed as Minster for Arts, Heritage and Culture to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's new government cabinet, an announcement accompanied by the decision to reinstate a dedicated Department of Culture, and a commitment to double arts and cultural spending in the next five years.
