Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom cur leis an mhéid atá ráite ó thaobh na healaíontóirí agus iad siúd atá ag obair i dtionscal an cheoil. We have previously raised the issue of supports for the arts and Deputy McDonald raised it earlier today. Deputy Ó Snodaigh has met representatives of the various groups. There is a serious issue that has been well articulated. It is probably best captured in the survey of members of the industry. It is stark that two thirds of them are talking about issues with mental health. Most concerning is that 3% have considered self-harm. That probably captures very quickly the real pain and suffering that many people in that sector are experiencing because of the lack of supports and particularly because of decisions taken that have resulted in income from the State that they had relied on being cut.

There is enormous uncertainty. There was always a mantra from Government that people would be supported as long as society remains closed. For our artists who breathe cultural life into our nation, their means to make ends meet and make a living is still closed as a result of social distancing. In some cases, people offered a gig at a wedding are concerned about taking it because it might result in losing their payment meaning they have no support whatsoever regardless of how little support is there. These individuals need a support package.

We know the circumstances that led to this. We know that the State and Government did the right thing in closing down the economy to protect people's lives. However, with that comes a responsibility, which is why in amendment No. 11, I have tried to address some of this by allowing the Minister to have a more targeted approach for different categories of workers. It may not be perfect, but it addresses the idea that not everyone is the same and some groups of workers will be hit harder and longer as a result of the pandemic and the restrictions we have.

We will not resolve this tonight but it would be worthwhile for the Minister to meet a group of Deputies or creating a way in which we, as a Legislature, can support them. It would be a powerful signal to send out. These are the people we turn to for inspiration. They are the people, whether poets or musicians, the former Taoiseach often quotes in his speeches. They are the people who give us inspiration and sometimes lift our hearts in dark days, and we all need that.

They are also the people who have travelled throughout this country and further afield to make ends meet. Some of them have done that for decades. They have never relied, nor had to rely, on State support. I have spoken to some of them who are household names. They have never relied on State support because their talent was able to get them through. In some cases, that forced them to travel abroad to earn their crus, but they did that without complaint. This is the time to stand up and support them and to find a way in which we can lift from them the burden that is so clearly captured in the survey of those 1,000 members.

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