I welcome last week's broadening and extending of jobseeker's status to include self-employed artists. It recognises the unique creative circumstances of artists in receipt of jobseeker's allowance and gives special assistance during their first year out of work, allowing them to focus on their creative output. This is to come in from September. I ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht whether consideration will be given to extending the scheme to artists who did not previously come under it, people who are already at a resting period or on jobseeker's allowance? Could the Minister please clarify that point?

I thank the Deputy for his question. I was very pleased, with the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, to announce the scheme last week. The scheme was a pilot that will now be put on a permanent basis and will also be expanded to include other artists. It will not only be artists and writers but will include actors, musicians, choreographers and opera singers. I also pay tribute to the Taoiseach whose idea it was originally.

The 12-month activation period of the scheme will not commence until 1 September so, if people want to apply at that stage, the 12-month delay of activation measures will not kick in for at least 12 months.