Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Irish people are defined by their music, arts and culture. We thrive on this identity not only domestically but right across the globe. The arts, however, have been decimated by this pandemic and we must rebuild them. We can start small by allowing dance classes to return. We know that dancing bolsters physical and mental health. It improves posture and flexibility. It lifts our mood and it eases our anxiety. For children, dance classes offer so much more than just dance. They provide an opportunity to make friends, learn a new skill and, most important, build confidence. Kids in my area - Lucan and the rest of Dublin Mid-West - are desperately missing their Dancity classes, their Irish dancing classes and the beats of Zumba. Dancing is a fun activity that sharpens the mind, increases strength and builds social bonds.

For older people, dance classes may be the highlight of the week but, owing to Covid, they can no longer rely on that social outlet. Loneliness is often described as being more detrimental to older people's health than physical illness but not every older person wants to play bridge, bingo or bowls. Some want to dance. Let us face it: human beings of all ages, cultures, religions and countries all love to dance. Dance, whether it is Irish dancing or the Maori haka, is a part of life.

While many of us have got used to dancing in our sitting rooms during lockdown, there is nowhere better to dance than at a live gig. The live entertainment industry is bursting with talent. It is an industry that has offered employment to everyone from sound engineers and roadies to musicians and dancers. All are real people and all are missing their income and outlet right now. All are in need of hope right now. The Minister has the opportunity to give them hope. We have plenty of opportunities to facilitate smaller, more intimate crowds in large venues using social distancing. We have the ability to tweak the pandemic unemployment payment rules so people can do the odd gig or resurrect their dance class without losing the payment that has become a lifeline for them. Let us reignite the arts by thinking outside the box and by moving outside our silos.

Music and dance are so much more than jobs or hobbies; they are passions. I do not know one artist who would not jump at the chance to play to a crowd again, no matter how small. They live for performing and so does the next generation of artists and dancers, who should be preparing for their Christmas concert right now. We must offer them hope and trust so we can get dance back in our legs, music back in our ears and creativity back flowing in our veins.

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