Representatives from the live events industry are meeting with Government today, calling for a full re-opening of the sector following over a year and a half of closure due to the pandemic.
The Music and Entertainment Association of Ireland say in a statement that they will be directly asking An
Taoiseach Michael Martin to stop making musicians and other entertainers unemployed at meetings with Government today.
The MEAI say that musicians, crews, and entertainers are facing cuts to their PUP and unemployment payments in the coming months, despite the fact they want to work – and claim the only reason they are unemployed is due to Government Covid restrictions.
The association also claim that 30 per cent of workers in the industry will not be able to benefit from the current forecasted date of easing of live performance restrictions when they are changed to Jobseeker’s Allowance. The proposed transition to Jobseeker’s coincides with the Pandemic Unemployment Payments cuts which are scheduled to start happening from September 7th.
They also expressed their frustration that clarification from Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan regarding large live events only came following the Taoiseach and Tanaiste’s attendance at the All-Ireland Hurling final, and asked the Government to be more transparent with their advice.
