Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I only have a short time but I could talk about this for the whole evening.

Music, song, dance and our cultural artists are so important, and they have gone through a very tough time this year in Kerry. Sliabh Luachra, Nickie McAuliffe, Derry Healy, Neily O'Connor and others play music for free at events for the elderly. I had the pleasure of playing for an elderly woman the other night, Hannah O'Shea, who is 105 years old and lives on the Lewis Road in Killarney. She was absolutely delighted.

I have seen music played for elderly people, some with Alzheimer's disease, in groups and have seen them tapping to the music. They might be elderly, sick and suffering but when someone plays them a few tunes they start tapping to the music. It really makes a difference. The psychological well-being and mental well-being of people is so important.

We must do something for the artists who are on their knees at present and have nowhere to get funding. We must open up some avenues for them and ensure they get some social welfare payment because many of them are not getting it. I could say much more about the importance of playing music, song, dance and storytelling. All that kind of thing is so important, and I hope we do not lose it because of this pandemic.

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