In what could prove to be a game-changer, it was announced in July that the Jobseekers scheme is being extended to self-employed musicians.

Welcoming the news, Limerick singer-songwriter Emma Langford reflected that, “I’m seeing a lot of cynicism around it, which I understand, because of course people assume that everyone on social welfare is lazy and a sponge on the system; and on top of that there’s this unfounded belief that artists are also lazy and have never done a day’s hard graft.

“This means that I can take time off of touring which is my main source of income and actually develop my skills as a musician. Now they just need to provide equally exciting adequate supports for our nurses, engineers, scientists, teachers, carers, people with disabilities...”

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