I am fully aware of the severe difficulties being faced by live performers and all artists as a result of the pandemic and my Department and I have met with stakeholders regularly to understand these challenges and put in place appropriate supports for the sector.
I have engaged extensively with my Government colleagues to advocate for the retention of horizontal supports like the PUP, EWSS and CRSS which are critical to ensuring the survival of the live performance sector.
In December I was pleased to announce details of a €50 million suite of measures to support the live performance sector in 2022. As part of this suite of supports and, building on the success and exceptional demand for the Live Performance Support Scheme 2021 (LPSS 2021), a further strand of this scheme, called the LPSS 3, opened for applications on December 20th. LPSS 3 will support events which were due to be staged in December 2021 and January 2022 and have been curtailed, cancelled or rescheduled due to the restrictions on audience capacity at live performances at 50% and a closing time of 8pm.
In addition to LPSS 3, further supports will also be provided for the sector in 2022, including;
- Another strand of the Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS 4), to support performances being staged from February 2022 to June 2022. Further information, including guidelines for this scheme will be made available in the coming weeks.
- Another round of the MEBAS (Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme) scheme due to be announced shortly, this scheme is specifically to support small music and entertainment businesses which do not operate out of a rateable premises;
- €5m for Local Authorities to support local artists and performances through the LLPSS (Local Live Performance Support Scheme). This scheme in particular has provided thousands of hours of employment for local musicians, artists and crews.
- €5m to continue the capital supports scheme (CECGS) to venues, including for ventilation upgrades and other COVID adaptations
- €1m for the Saint Patrick's Festival 2022
LPSS and LLPSS 2021 funded thousands of hours of employment for artists, musicians and crew in 2021. I am confident the schemes will provide further employment opportunities in 2022.
I am committed to supporting the live performance and nightclub sector as they journey through a difficult and unprecedented phase of business operations. I will continue to review the supports for the sector on an ongoing basis.
