Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2020
130. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to support and safeguard the jobs of 35,000 persons who have been locked out of their employment in the entertainment sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25374/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe scale of challenges faced by businesses in the entertainment sector due to Covid-19 has not gone unnoticed by Government, and efforts have been ongoing across Government Departments to provide supports to businesses and affected individuals. I am acutely aware of the challenges facing the entertainment sector and I have recently met representatives and businesses from the sector.
My Department and its Agencies have been focussed on coming up with solutions to help businesses overcome the challenges presented by the unprecedented difficulties caused by COVID-19. Details of the wide range of supports available are available on my Department’s website at https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/
These supports include financial supports, training and guidance to help business mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and return to work safely, the COVID-19 Income Support Scheme to provide financial support to Irish workers and businesses affected by the crisis, the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme which provides a flat-rate subsidy to qualifying employers based on the numbers of eligible employees on the employer’s payroll. As well as the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment which is available to all employees and the self-employed who have lost their job due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Short-time Work Support whereby employees of businesses that need to reduce hours or days worked can avail of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
Details of supports to the sector by the Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht may be accessed through that Department’s website at www.chg.gov.ie/arts/creative-arts/grants-and-funding. A number of new measures have been introduced by my colleague Minister Martin TD, which include supports to aid employment in the creative industries through the Live Performance Support Scheme and the Music Stimulus Package.
The Government and my Department remain committed to supporting our businesses and citizens throughout and beyond the challenges posed by COVID-19.
