SIPTU members have welcomed the recommendations contained in the recently published Report of the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce, ‘A Life Worth Living’, which can assist the sector to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 crisis. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Martin O’Rourke, said: “The members of the SIPTU Arts, Culture, Sport, Print and Media Sector Committee have welcomed the key recommendations contained in this report which will assist support arts and cultural workers until the sector fully reopens when Covid-19 restrictions are ended. The wide-ranging recommendations of this taskforce include consideration of how the State might assist all arts and cultural workers, including artists, creatives, technical and production staff. This support is required to ensure the sector is sustained and events can operate safely during and after the pandemic. The financial supports recommended include the trial of a universal basic income scheme for workers in the sector, amendments to the tax code and supports for the arts budgets of the local authorities.” SIPTU Arts, Culture, Sport, Print and Media Sector President, Padraig Murray, said: “The report contains ten meaningful recommendations, all of which if implemented in full, would have a profoundly positive impact on Irish cultural life and the workers creating and shaping it. In particular, we welcome the recommendation of a universal basic income scheme which is to be piloted over a three-year period. We also welcome the other significant recommendations relating to policy and planning, taxation, financial provision, education and training, technology supports, mental health supports, social protection provision, community development and social inclusion.” Martin O’Rourke added: “It is very clear that the Arts and Culture sector has been devastated by the restrictions imposed to protect public health during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is most one of the sectors worst affected by the pandemic and will be among the last to fully reopen. Ironically, the restrictions have also highlighted the value and importance of the arts to public well-being. We welcome and will campaign for the full implementation of the most progressive recommendations contained in this report.”
SIPTU welcomes key recommendations of Arts and Culture Taskforce report
