Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021
58. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has conducted research and preparation for the harmful impacts on the music, entertainment and live events sector of the UK sector reopening well ahead of the sector here; and the steps she has put in place to ensure commercial arts workers and businesses are not disadvantaged as a result. [21953/21]
View answerWhat steps will the Minister take to ensure that the commercial arts workers and businesses here are not at a disadvantage as a result of the early reopening of the music, entertainment and live events sector in England before it reopens here?
The impact of public health measures, both domestic and international, on live performance opportunities is monitored on an ongoing basis by my Department. Due to its proximity and facilitated by the common travel area, the UK has always provided opportunities for Irish artists to expand their horizons and gain experience. If the UK's planned reopening of the music and entertainment sector proceeds as intended at present, Culture Ireland hopes to resume its support to artists to travel abroad to present their work in other countries, subject to public health considerations in Ireland. It is expected that this activity may commence later in 2021, subject to the Covid-19 emerging position and in adherence to quarantine and all other safety protocols.
In 2018, Culture Ireland programming had a special focus on the UK in its GB18 initiative. A key aim of the Culture Ireland GB18 year-long programme was to renew the unique cultural relationship which exists between Ireland and Great Britain. Culture Ireland is keen to support the presentation of Irish arts in British institutions, venues and festivals and to expand the reach of Irish culture as soon as Covid-related restrictions allow. We all aspire to a safe resumption of live performance, which is so fundamental to the arts, culture and entertainment sectors, when public health considerations permit it. In the interim, my Department operates a range of sector-specific supports. These include the €25 million live performance support scheme. Applications made under this scheme are currently being assessed.
I assure the Deputy that I am acutely aware of the importance of the UK market to Irish artists and look forward to them being in a position to avail of opportunities in the UK when it is safe to do so. The Covid-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 - The Path Ahead plan committed to the development of sectoral guidance for very large purpose-built event facilities, for example, stadia, auditoria, conference or event centres. I established the live entertainment working group to facilitate stakeholder consultation and to develop Covid-19 guidelines for the live entertainment sector. These guidelines will be critical in preparing for the ultimate reopening of the sector.
As the Minister rightly pointed out, the music, entertainment and live events industry is reopening in Britain from 17 May, when people will be invited to return to indoor events, venues, concert halls and even cinemas, play areas and so forth. This is a serious threat to the industry here. It is not just an opportunity for artists to play in Britain, which is welcome, but there are many in the industry who may leave Irish shores to work abroad. We will lose the income to the venues here when they reopen if the money is directed towards Britain.
The commercial arts workers and businesses in England, and Britain in general, will have a significant advantage on us. We have no roadmap or indication of when the music, entertainment and events industry will be allowed to return. Part of this is due to the slow vaccine roll-out but also because of what appears to be a lack of serious planning.
Has any work been done, in particular looking at events in Barcelona at the end of March where a concert was held for those who could prove they had a negative Covid-19 test? Are we looking at that? Are there plans afoot? Can the Minister let us know, or at least, let the music industry know?
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.
I wish that team well. Hopefully, it will be able to expedite some of the decisions that needed to be taken.
The Minister mentioned some of the large concerts that have been cancelled and will not go ahead this year. Obviously, they will not go ahead for a whole variety reasons because the lead-in time was not there. However, in Liverpool, for instance, a crowd of 5,000 will attend a near-normal concert on 2 May. The Minister will, therefore, see much more of that rolling out over the summer months whereas we have no indication at this stage when such concerts will happen or open here.
I will talk to the Minister again about the opportunity we have to ensure the entertainment industry in Ireland benefits from the fact that due to Brexit, Britain will be at a loss because of the different tax regimes that will now be forced on it. We have an opportunity to become the English language-speaking entertainment industry. We can send people to Europe during the summer months to deliver this.
Finally, as Britain will open earlier than us and there is an incentive for some workers to leave our shores, what additional supports will the Minister give to the arts and entertainment workers given that her proposed basic income is a long way off, despite being flagged last year?
Although the UK may be ahead of us in vaccinations, we have responded with many supports. Hopefully, it is not too long before we catch up with it in terms of reopening. Rest assured, my officials and I are in engagement with the sector. That is how I started as a Minister and it is how I will continue.
I am acutely aware that the sector needs time to plan, rehearse and engage audiences in advance of reopening, the lead-in time about which the Deputy spoke. I will continue to advocate for the sector to ensure it has the supports and pathways needed as we emerge from the crisis.
The €25 million live performance support scheme has built on the successful pilot of that scheme in 2020. Much work also went into the allocation of €14 million to be made available in the music and entertainment business assistance scheme to help those who had not received support up until now. That is €2,500 for businesses with a VAT exclusive turnover of €20,000 to €100,000, and €5,000 for businesses with a VAT exclusive turnover in excess of €100,000. I am also liaising with the Tánaiste to look at anyone else in the events sector who needs support and who has not been reached to date.
