Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Over the past few days I have been inundated with accounts of the hardship being suffered by people in the entertainment business, including performers and many of their staff and crew. They have all asked me to highlight the crisis in their industry. Since the beginning of the Covid pandemic, all venues have been forced to close with the resulting loss of hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs. While other industries have also been severely impacted, they are now able to see light at the end of the tunnel but, unfortunately, music, theatre and comedy are totally dependent on a paying audience. Due to social distancing requirements, which we all agree are necessary, venues may only be able to cater for 15% of their capacity and this is just not viable. It has been estimated that the industry will not return to full capacity until 2023, which is absolutely devastating for it. The hardship being endured by people in the arts sector has to be addressed. In 2020, the rate of recession in the arts sector will be between 34.6% and 42% compared with 11% in the Irish economy as a whole.

One young family man in the music industry contacted me yesterday and outlined his situation, which I want to highlight today. This year was to be his busiest ever, with tours in the USA and Europe and dates scheduled in Ireland as well. He has been building his audiences over the past four years and he is only now reaping the rewards of his investment of time and money. All these dates have now been cancelled and he is out of pocket and facing the prospect of his Covid payment of €350 a week being reduced. He has dedicated his whole life to his art and he is now on the verge of being able to pay his mortgage and provide for his family. This man's stress and anxiety are being felt by thousands of other arts workers and the State has an obligation to support people like them.Another man told me of his frustration in dealing with the social welfare payment. His tax affairs are in order and he has worked as a PAYE worker and a self-employed musician. His Covid payment was reduced as it was claimed his income was below the required amount. He has been unable to contact the relevant section to point out that when his PAYE and self-employed income are added that he is above the threshold for the €350 payment. This is leading to severe anxiety, hardship and stress.

The pandemic unemployment payment and the temporary wage subsidy scheme must be continued for individual artists, arts workers and other organisations until the industry is again able to work to full capacity. Bank mortgages and loans should be deferred or renegotiated for an emergency period until the music, art and events industry can properly reopen without social distancing. The tax due in October for the self-employed in the arts industry who are without other income should be examined as their income in the current year has being decimated. I call for the Minister to come to the House to address these concerns as soon as possible as the Covid payments are due to cease in August.