Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2020
362. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the tradeshow and exhibition sector will qualify under the €50 million live events funding provided by her Department. [35294/20]
View answerIn Budget 2021, the Government announced the provision of support of €50m for the live entertainment sector. This will include measures for the commercial entertainment sector and will support live entertainment across the country. The 2021 supports for the live entertainment sector will be the subject of further consultation with stakeholders. It will also be informed by the pilot live performance scheme in 2020 which is being rolled out now. The purpose of this funding is to support performers and crew who have been severely impacted by the current public health crisis. Service providers in this sector may also provide services to the subsidised arts sector on occasion and accordingly may also benefit from the increased allocation to the Arts Council of €130 million in 2021.
While the tradeshow and exhibition sector will not be eligible for live entertainment supports from my Department, the Government has in place a range of supports for commercial enterprises impacted by COVID-19. These include the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, exemptions from commercial rates, the warehousing of tax liabilities, the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme, and a reduction in VAT on ticket sales. In addition, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is available to all employees and the self-employed who have lost their job due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There are also a range of loans, grants, vouchers and schemes available including the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme which offers loans from €10,000 to €1 million, for terms of up to five and a half years, and COVID-19 Business Loans of up to €25,000 which are available through Microfinance Ireland with zero repayments and zero interest for the first 6 months and the equivalent of an additional 6 months interest-free subject to certain terms and conditions. Details of all of these supports are available at https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/.
