FAQ Category: IMRO Member Helpdesk

We encourage our members to reach out to people online. Many performers streaming live performances with great success.

Members should also try to encourage people to buy and stream their music.

Now is also a great time to catch up on your business admin, especially in relation to your IMRO set-lists, etc.

Microenterprises can access COVID-19 loans of up to €50,000 from MicroFinance Ireland. Loans are available at an interest rate of between 6.8% and 7.8%. Businesses can apply through their Local Enterprise Office or directly at www.microfinanceireland.ie – Eligibility criteria apply.

Enterprise Ireland has a number of supports available to help businesses mitigate the impact of Covid-19: https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/about-us/services/covid-19/

If you are struggling to pay back loans right now, we strongly encourage you to get in touch with your lender and to explain your situation and to ask for a temporary payment freeze. This way you won’t be missing payments – missed payments may affect your credit rating.

You may be in a position to claim the cost of your cancelled flights and / or accommodation under travel insurance. You should check with your insurer immediately.

This will depend on your performance contract. Depending on what your cancellation clauses say in your contract, you may not be able to spend this money as you may need to return it. If you have a ‘pay or play’ contract, you may be able to keep the payment.

You may be able to apply for the Temporary COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme. If you are an employer who can show that you have lost at least 25 percent of your trade – you may  be able to claim 70 percent of your employees’ net wage back (up to a maximum of €410). If you avail of this subsidy, the government is encouraging  you to top-up your employees’ wages to maintain them at their current level of earnings. Please see the detailed guidance from the Revenue Commissioners.

If you are self-employed you should apply for the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment. The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is a payment of €350 per week. It is available to all employees and the self-employed who have lost their job due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic and were working up to or after March 13.

The quickest and easiest way to apply for the emergency Covid-19 payment is by applying online at www.mywelfare.ie – All you need is your email to set up a basic MyGovID account which then allows you to apply online.