Brendan Smith urges strong budget support for live events sector

I welcome back to the opportunity to discuss some of these issues with you previously and I welcome the fact that you said that you will work in the budgetary context on the key recommendations of the task force and all that so that you included the entertainment and events sector on that task force. Minister, you said earlier that it was the first sector to close. We know it's facing unprecedented and ongoing challenges and by all medical evidence those challenges and difficulties will be with us for some time. Now as Deputy Byron said earlier we don't want to lose this sector, lose the professionals in it. who are across so many different trades professions of all disciplines. So Minister, we need a comprehensive package in the budget to assist the live performers, the producers and these artists including musicians and others. Minister, when assistance and a programme is being put in place it's very important that emerging talent and smaller bands are recognised. as well as well because we are all well aware that we need the emerging talent. They may not be very well organised. In many instances they bring our music, song and dance to other continents and they are great ambassadors for our country. So in any scheme of assistance which is needed for the entire sector and for all disciplines within the sector it's important that emerging and new talent is recognised as well and given adequate assistance. Thank you. Thank you. Adam. Thank you. Both deputies would be well aware that you can't anticipate the budget and that I am very familiar with the pre-budget submissions of the Events Industry Alliance and everyone involved in this sector. I acknowledge your interest in these matters and I can assure you that I will be doing my best from the sector in the budget and subsequently. Just for information, the total funding for the Arts in Ireland this year is €338 million. That has increased by over 30% this year. I would never have suggested, and that is why I keep emphasising the word pilot scheme, that €5 million was enough. It is a start. I come from this background myself. There are many deputies here who have family or friends in the sector. So I am acutely aware of not just the performers needs and their livelihoods who are front and centre stage, but those who enable them to go on stage. In relation to the international comparisons, I know some people look at approaches taken in other countries, but it can be very difficult to make those comparisons. Obviously, population differences mean that supports are not directly comparable, but we need to look at what is here. For example, in the UK, there is a very large commercial theatre sector that does not exist here to the same extent. We need to focus on the measures that are needed here in Ireland. My focus will be on the report of the Task Force, which will consult widely to develop that clear approach. That, in turn, will not only inform the budget, but will inform the National Economic Plan. I will repeat again, we often underrate the huge employment in our creative industries, and it is spread throughout the regions. It is not just a good employer, but it is very important for the well-being of society. I think, Minister, it is very important that we put in place robust measures to ensure adequate support for all the artists and their support personnel. to ensure that we do not lose these key artists, that we do not lose this sector, because it is so important for our own country and for the reputation of our country abroad as well. They bring a very positive and good message from our country to other continents in normal times. Thank you. I guarantee you that I do not want to lose this sector either. I am very conscious of the emerging artists. For example, we ran a programme for young and emerging artists online with Hot Press earlier this year. I can also guarantee you that I have never undervalued the arts or the music. That is the background I come from, that is what I studied, that is where all my friends, my family, I place an immense value on it. I feel it is a privilege to be the Minister for Culture and Arts at this most challenging time. I have a keen eye on doing what is best for this sector to support them, not just to survive, but to thrive on the far end of Covid. That is why I am engaging extensively with them. I have heard their concerns and I will bring that to the negotiations, but I cannot have those negotiations here on this floor. But I can guarantee you my commitment to this sector and how much I value this. It goes to our very beating hearts as a nation as far as I am concerned. It is our identity and we have to stop talking and praising this without actually placing the value through supporting it. Thank you very much, Minister. Thank you. Thank you very much.