Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 2 July 2020

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response

Impact of Covid-19: Tourism, Arts and Entertainment Sector

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our guests before the committee. I get a sense of vibrancy and commitment from all of them. I appreciate that tourism is important for our economy and, as other speakers have said, unless we can recover and think in new ways with new ideas, we will have further problems and will perhaps face job losses.

I support what Deputy Clarke said about people who drive buses for a living. Someone in my constituency has five buses that are sitting idle. That person has a considerable amount of capital investment tied up in that respect and is getting hassle from the banks. That person wants to continue in business. I would welcome any continued support from the Government, the Department and Fáilte Ireland. People such as the one I mentioned need interest-free loans and significant support because if they do not get it, their businesses will be gone forever. In many cases, the more successful a business has been, the more damaging the effects of the pandemic have been because of high levels of capital investment. It is sad.

I welcome what Mr. Kelly is doing and appreciate his knowledge and frankness. I was a little late to the meeting but I was interested in some things said by our other guests, particularly the proposal to extend arts activities to people in congregated settings. Unfortunately, a relative of mine is in a nursing home and most of the residents of nursing homes are staring into empty space without intellectual stimulation. There is often no energy in rooms in nursing homes other than the energy of caregivers. Anything that can be done to give new experiences to people in nursing homes should be welcomed. Something like 70% of nursing home residents suffer from dementia.

It is a huge issue. It is a great initiative which I hope becomes really big and I hope it works. I hope it does not cost the residents in these nursing homes who often pay up to €50,000 or €60,000 a year for their care.

I agree with Deputy Boyd Barrett on a lot of the points he made about communities, supporting artists and making sure they are treated respectfully, appropriately, properly and professionally. I have met lots of people in the arts who make only a part-time living or one that does not give them a great income but keeps bread on the table. Any new initiatives we can have to give them sustainable employment must be welcome. I welcome the initiatives the Department is talking about.

When I look at places like Galway and see the dynamic they have there with the parades every year, I wonder if we can use this pandemic within our local authorities and throughout the country to start new initiatives, particularly in working-class areas. Many of our working-class areas are concrete jungles infested with drug dealers, drug barons, intimidation and strife. The energy that people have in those communities goes into protecting themselves and keeping themselves safe and trying to keep away from these people who are around them. I refer to taking young schoolgoing children and getting an art project going in their community, involving residents' associations. There are lots of wonderful ideas in these communities. I came across a gentleman who was an artist. He was painting his environment where he lived. He loved where he lived even though it was a concrete jungle and still remains so. I also note good initiatives from the north inner city drugs and alcohol task force.

If we are to hold on to our young people, especially those who are in difficult circumstances economically and socially, the arts can be a great driving force for them. Many people love their arts and love to engage. They just need to be valued more and feel they are valued more. The respect they need is what we are talking about. I have met Ms Banotti before and I think I met Ms Licken also in another life when I was in her Department as a Minister. I wish them well. I recognise their good intentions. I ask them to tell me I am right in what I am saying.

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