Music industry calls on Government to continue COVID supports for artists

The Music & Entertainment Association of Ireland (MEAI) will ask the Government not to alter the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, which is set to be changed on September 7.

In an upcoming meeting Monday, the body will make their case that up to 30 per cent of workers in the music industry will have their PUP payments cut without the ability to work due to live performance restrictions.

"While it is fine to talk about reopening the industry at some date in the future which we all want, the here-and-now for thousands of workers in the industry is that they could face technically being made unemployed, even though they have a job – they just can’t do it," explained MEAI Spokesman, Matt McGranaghan.

On September 7, all payments under the PUP scheme will be reduced to eventually be in line with the Jobseeker's Allowance of €203 a week.

At another meeting last week, the MEAI told Minister for Culture Catherine Martin that up to 50 per cent of workers would be transitioned to Jobseeker’s conditions by November, therefore, preventing them from engaging in self-employed work.

They said in their submission to the government that this "could place this industry at a much greater risk over the coming six months than what it has already endured over the past 18 months."

The MEAI also welcomed the news that Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan believes Electric Picnic could go ahead if attendees are fully vaccinated.

Although pleased at this development, McGranaghan said that "if this advice from the CMO was delivered a month ago we could have been enjoying festivals and events with larger capacities throughout the country at this stage. As it stands, events are only limited to crowds of 200 in most cases and 500 in some."

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar is also reportedly asking his Government colleagues to intervene on Laois County Council's decision to not allow the festival to go ahead.