Live events organisers are pleading with the government to provide €6 million in direct funding.
The Event Production Industry COVID-19 working group (EPIC) says it could take up to a decade for the sector to recover from the losses as a result of COVID-19.
EPIC is also calling for a 5% reduction on VAT for ticket sales to keep the industry going and a full Pre-Budget Submission can be read here: www.epicwg.com
It's been 188 days since gigs and festivals were cancelled, affecting 35,000 workers in the sector. The Rose of Tralee was cancelled for the first time ever, while the Ploughing Championships, food festivals, and even the Lisdoonvarna matchmaking festival were also lost.
One of the key things anyone can do to help, is to mail your TD. All you need to do is click this link, select your constituency, fill in your details and hit send.
If you miss live gigs, theatre, festivals and the memories and joy that they bring, this is the most important thing you can do today to help the people who make these events.
EPIC said: "The country misses gigs, concerts, theatres, dances, choirs, orchestras, festivals, food festivals – the country misses our commemorations, our parades, our favourite bands and entertainers. But right now, for most in the Live Entertainment & Events Sector, they miss the opportunity to earn a living, to pay their bills, to survive.
"This is not possible due to the devastation of the sector by the ongoing Covid19 Pandemic and the mandated closure of the entire sector. The Non-Funded Event Industry supports over 35,000 jobs, contributes over €3.5 billion Euro to the economy and in excess of 3 million annual bed nights to the wider tourism sector."
A host of venues across the country will also participate in lighting up red in support of National Awareness Week for the Live Entertainment & Event Industry in Ireland which runs from 14th– 20 th September 2020.
Some of the venues who are taking part include 3Arena, RDS, Aviva Stadium, Croke Park, Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Gaiety Theatre, Olympia Theatre, Dolans, Roisin Dubh, INEC, Town Hall Theatre Galway plus various others around the country.
#ThisIsWhoWeAre
