Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I understand there is actually much uncertainty about activity in the live entertainment sector in the UK. The organisers of Glastonbury cancelled the 2020 event and have now cancelled for a second year. Other festivals have also been cancelled, for instance, the Boomtown Fair music festival. One of the key arts and culture summer events in the UK is the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. I understand that while it will proceed in August and will use bespoke temporary outdoor pavilions in easily accessibly places throughout the city, much of the festival will actually take place online.

On the Deputy's other query about skills, I understand it is an absolute fear that highly-skilled individuals will leave Ireland and relocate to the UK if the opportunities there are seen to be more attractive. Recommendation No. 7 of Life Worth Living: The Report of the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce proposed the establishment of a capacity-building and upskilling scheme for artists and creative workers, aimed at recovery and renewal through professional development.

The Arts Council is a statutory agency under the Arts Act 2003 and is the primary support for the arts in Ireland. The Arts Council has experience and expertise in training in the sector. Screen Skills Ireland is the training division of Screen Ireland and has significant experience and expertise in the provision of training. The Arts Council and Screen Ireland collaboration will, therefore, take responsibility for the implementation of this recommendation, with the Arts Council taking the lead. I have also established that live entertainment working group with the stakeholders. Using their expertise, the guidelines available will be critical in preparing for that ultimate reopening of the sector.

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