Director of Arts Council Ireland, Mary Cloake, has released a statement concerning the national Artists' Exemption Scheme. The scheme, established in 1969, assist artists through tax exemptions and a supportive fiscal environment. Responding to recent media attention and political scrutiny of artist tax laws, Ms Cloake outlined her broad support for the financial policy and its past achievements: "The Arts Council is satisfied that the Artists' Exemption Scheme, over 35 years, has been very successful - given its pioneering nature in 1969 and the challenges of implementing such an incentive." "Evidence of this success is found in the global commercial achievement of a small number of Irish artists and the international critical acclaim enjoyed by many more. Further, the scheme has conferred considerable reputational benefits on Ireland. The very high value accorded creative art forms in our fiscal policy being a source of considerable pride to Irish artists and policymakers alike. 'Brand Ireland' is based to a large extent on our creative and artistic output." Addressing commentary that "suggests a limited appreciation of the facts of the Artists' Exemption Scheme", Ms Cloake said the following: "The greatest number of beneficiaries of the scheme earn considerably less than the legal minimum wage." "There are a small number of Irish artists who have enjoyed global commercial success on an unimaginable scale...Their exempt income constitutes a relatively small share of total earnings." "The net cost of the exemption to the exchequer may therefore be far less than media speculation would indicate." The Arts Council head said it was "unfortunate" that narrow case studies of high income earning arts and cultural professionals were being used "to discredit artists' tax relief, which has done so much, through a relatively simple instrument, to support creative artists working in Ireland in a practical and meaningful way." Ms Cloake went on to explain that, despite these concerns, issues surrounding the scheme are currently under examination by the Arts Council, with findings to be presented to the Department of Finance. To read the full text of Mary Cloake's statement, CLICK HERE.