Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Last week I spoke about the impact of Covid-19 on the arts sector. Since then I have been inundated by people on the matter. It is very upsetting to be honest. I have been inundated by people from every part of the arts industry, theatre workers, actors and many musicians who have contacted me. We are all aware that working in the arts is precarious at the best of times but since the lockdown in March the industry has been devastated. Other industries could ask their employees to work from home but this is just not possible for musicians, crew, actors or theatre workers.

The arts sector is totally dependent on people being able to gather in large numbers. It is not possible for a music venue or theatre to reopen if its capacity is reduced by up to 70%. While the financial loss is a huge problem we also have to address the mental health impact of having a person's livelihood and identity being taken away. This should not be underestimated. Musicians have called me this week to ask "Why am I on jobseeker's allowance when I have a job? I am a musician and that is who I am. I have worked all my life as a musician and I want to continue to do so." Not knowing when one can get back to work and be able to provide for one's family is hugely stressful. Utility bills, childcare bills, mortgage repayments or rent still have to be paid. The pandemic unemployment payment has been reduced for many of the people who have contacted me and it is really distressing. A decision on extending these payments until the industry is back to full capacity would go some way to reducing the stress and anxiety being felt by thousands of workers in the arts sector.

Initial findings from a survey of workers in the entertainment industry conducted by the Music and Entertainment Association of Ireland, which is doing a great job at the moment, are very worrying. It is important to state that these are early indications and I will bring the final result of the survey to the House once it is completed. Of the people surveyed 71.5% are wholly dependent on entertainment as their source of income and are now living on €350 or €200 per week. How can anyone survive on this? To ask people who have worked in entertainment for years to go onto jobseeker's allowance is ludicrous as the only jobs for which they are suitable are in entertainment, which is now closed down.Some 52% are self-employed. Many of these workers have spent years building up their businesses and have been forced to sell equipment to meet their living expenses. They will not be able to resume work immediately when the crisis is over. A shocking statistic is that 52% have had their income reduced by more than 50%. I believe that when the final figures are produced, this percentage will be much higher, as the number of people who have contacted me and said they are totally reliant on Covid payments is staggering. Some 60.1% are struggling to deal with the financial stress. Some 11% have never suffered mental health problems but feel that they are now experiencing these problems as a result of financial stress. Another worrying statistic is that 3% have considered or attempted self-harm. As I stated, these are only preliminary findings but I think they are an indication of the crisis being experienced by people in the entertainment sector. The Minister should come into the House and outline the plans that are being delivered to address this crisis, and give people some hope that their situation is being taken seriously.