Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 30 June 2020

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response

Impact of Covid-19: Arts and Entertainment Sector

Photo of Michael CollinsMichael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests. I have a number of questions for them, and maybe more than they can answer. If so, perhaps afterwards they will supply written replies to me or to the committee. Responsibility for the arts will now be under the remit of the Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht. I am extremely disappointed that the islands have been taken away because the islands and the Gaeltacht are very much one. Splitting them is not a positive move.

It is vital that Ireland sustains and grows its reputation as a great place in which to do the business of arts and culture. The responsibility lies with the Department of Finance and the Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht and the others - as already indicated, the Department has been renamed - to introduce tax incentives for investment across the arts and culture sector, in all its art forms. Incentives to win programmes and partnerships will keep Ireland competitive in this landscape. Do the witnesses believe this would be of benefit to artists, arts workers and arts organisations?

I have found that after announcements have been made, funds will be available that do not get to the people who need them, namely, the people on the ground. To explain this in detail, it was announced recently that farmers would get a package worth up to €50 million. That was most welcome but, as always, the devil is in the detail. In that context, most of the hardworking farmers who desperately need the fund, are unable to access it. In the past fortnight, the Government has announced a €25 million arts and culture Covid-19 emergency package. Have the members of the three organisations access to the funding? Is the funding freely available to all?

Well over €7 million has been lost to the arts sector due to cancelled events. God knows what the figure will be by the end of the summer. Has the Government given an indication that it will continue to support all freelance artists and arts workers by means of the pandemic unemployment payment until mass gatherings are permitted again?

The national audience survey indicates that the arts and culture sector will be the last to return to full capacity and will need supports to ensure its survival and recovery. The arts will be fundamental to Ireland's recovery, particularly as they have an impact across society in many different ways, including the economy, education, tourism, health and well-being. Has the Government given an assurance that an equitable portion of the European Commission's structural fund is committed to the arts and culture sector?

Do the organisations believe that a reduction in VAT and providing funding for businesses involved in putting on viable events would ensure the longevity of those businesses? It does not matter whether it is a concert or some other type of entertainment. For tens of thousands of people, no matter what their religion, the biggest event they attend on any day of the week is church. Some churches can cater for over 500 people yet the Government is only allowing gatherings of 50 in a churches, which is a great disappointment to many. As has been stated here, 150 people can fly in an aircraft. Can the organisations comment on the fact that only 50 people at a time can attend church?

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