Written Answers Nos. 338-362
338. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the basis on which his Department has chosen to end funding for an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34609/20]
View answer339. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the findings of a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34610/20]
View answer340. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which he plans to ensure the continued availability of independent, reliable, publicly-accessible and timely information on the €14 billion non-profit sector and its work if an organisation (details supplied) ceases to operate on 31 December 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34611/20]
View answer341. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the independently-managed, comprehensive database on the non-profit sector established and maintained by an organisation (details supplied) will continue to be freely and publicly available into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34612/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 338, 339, 340 and 341 together.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has provided grant funding to Benefacts, a not-for-profit organisation, for a pathfinder project in the area of data on the non-profit sector. This grant funding agreement ceases on 31st December 2020.
During the period of the grant agreement, my Department commissioned an independent report on the market for data on the non-profit sector. One of the options identified in the report was for centralised information on the non-profit sector to be provided directly by a government department or agency. Key public service stakeholders, including the Departments of Rural and Community Development, Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Central Statistics Office, Tusla and the HSE, agreed that such an approach was the preferred approach as it offered the best means to ensure the scope and specification of work in this area met their needs and provided value for money.
To facilitate consideration by these key public stakeholders of the range issues involved, it is proposed to make €950,000 available through the Revised 2021 Estimate for my Department's Vote to allow Benefacts to continue to provide data on the non-profit sector during 2021.
342. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works will be requested to arrange for the removal of graffiti on the former Kill O'The Grange Garda station, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34765/20]
View answerI can confirm that the Office of Public Works is making immediate arrangements for the removal of the graffiti on the former Kill O'The Grange Garda station, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin.
343. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount the OPW spent on maintenance to Maynooth Castle and Castletown House in each of the years of 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form; and his plans for further funding of projects at these sites for 2021. [34845/20]
View answerThe Office of Public works is charged with the care, operation and maintenance of almost 800 National Monuments nationwide, including Maynooth Castle and a further 31 National Historic Properties, including Castletown House. Funding within the OPW vote is provided for the day-to-day maintenance of the properties and for the interpretation and presentation of this National heritage estate to visitors to engage with and enjoy. The tables below provide the expenditure on maintenance at Maynooth Castle and Castletown House for 2018, 2019 and 2020 to date.
The expenditure for Castletown House relates to routine maintenance of the House and ancillary buildings, landscape and gardens and public realm at the estate including paths, roadways, railings and entrances. The National Historic Properties Division of the Office of Public Works continues to work on plans for the historic farmyard at Castletown where it is hoped to create new, additional visitor facilities in the coming years, subject to the availability of funding.
Regarding Maynooth Castle, OPW undertakes routine maintenance on an annual basis. It is intended , resources permitting, to carry out high-level vegetation removal in the coming months. There are no plans for additional capital investment in Maynooth Castle at this time.
|
Maynooth Castle |
2020 YTD |
2019 |
2018 |
|
Routine maintenance |
€6,366.25 |
€7,624.87 |
€11,717.51 |
|
Castletown |
2020 YTD |
2019 |
2018 |
|
Building & Landscape Maintenance costs |
€108,200 |
€101,577 |
€59,271 |
344. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has consulted with public bodies such as the HSE and the Department of Health in relation to acknowledging the work of frontline healthcare workers in 2020 in the context of Covid-19. [34948/20]
View answerOn an ongoing basis there are significant dealings between my Department and the Department of Health on a number of fronts and in particular this has been intensified in 2020. My Department also meets with the HSE in conjunction with the Department - usually in the format of the regular meetings of the Health Budget Oversight Group (HBOG). In the course of these ongoing contacts there has been significant acknowledgement and recognition of the tremendous contribution made to date by frontline staff in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.
As I recently pointed during Public Service Innovation Week (19-23 October), over the last 6 months we have witnessed the enormous commitment and dedication of our public servants in responding to the crisis, especially those on the frontline. We have seen the agility and resourcefulness of public servants in playing their essential part in combatting the impacts of Covid-19 and collaborating together to mitigate impacts. I know that this appreciation is fully shared by my colleague the Minister for Health and indeed by all of my colleagues in Government, as well as management of the HSE.
345. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 290 of 22 September 2020 and 481 of 3 November 2020, if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding an embankment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35228/20]
View answerThe channel referred to by the Deputy is a private channel flowing into an OPW back drain and it is not under the auspices of the OPW. Therefore, the OPW has no responsibility for its maintenance.
346. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the conveyancing of the River Shannon is still proceeding as agreed in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35295/20]
View answer347. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if planning permission has been sought in respect of conveyancing of the River Shannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35296/20]
View answer348. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if work on two pinch points along the River Shannon at Shannon Grove and Derryholmes will be prioritised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35297/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 346, 347 and 348 together.
The Government established the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group in 2016 to enhance the ongoing co-operation of all State Agencies involved with the River Shannon.
The Group has taken a number of significant decisions since its establishment. The scope of work undertaken to date includes:
- Implementing targeted maintenance at five locations on the River Shannon.
- Completing a study to examine the removal of constrictions resulting in lower summer water levels through the Shannon Callows, to help address the summer flooding in this area while maintaining the appropriate navigation requirements.
- Completing a study to examine the cause, degree and rate of restriction downstream of Parteen Weir in the Lower Shannon.
- Trialling the lowering of the lake levels on Lough Allen to help alleviate any significant flooding that may occur.
- Completing a preliminary assessment on the potential for strategic maintenance on the River Shannon.
In October 2019, the Group agreed to a €7 million strategic programme of maintenance works and the removal of constrictions or ‘pinch points’ on the bed of the River Shannon between Athlone and Meelick Weir to improve the conveyancing of the River Shannon. A detailed design will be undertaken for the work involved in removing these ‘pinch points’, and this will confirm the extent of the work required.
These works will include the full environmental assessments required to progress to the planning process to obtain consent to proceed. This may influence the order of priority for undertaking the proposed works by Waterways Ireland, as the implementing body for the works. The works will also be informed by public consultation.
Waterways Ireland has informed the OPW that it has commenced work on advancing the various interventions, with implementation expected to commence at a number of locations in 2021.
349. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of flood relief measures for Mountmellick, County Laois; the progress to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35298/20]
View answerI am advised that the scheme is in stage 1 (scheme development and design). A number of site investigation surveys have been awarded and are underway, which are required in order to allow the project team to carry out the preliminary design. The Appropriate Assessment Screening has been completed.
There will be another public consultation next year when the preferred scheme has been identified, in order to engage the public updated on scheme progression. At this stage, we will also be in a position to provide a more detailed programme.
350. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of external consultants for all OPW projects both flooding and non-flooding in each of the years 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35347/20]
View answerI am advised the OPW is collating the information and I will respond to the Deputy in due course.
351. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of full-time equivalent and part-time equivalent roles filled by his Department of posts at principal officer, assistant principal officer, higher executive officer, executive officer and clerical officer grades for the past five years; the cost to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35490/20]
View answerThe table below provides the details requested by the Deputy on roles filled through Open Competition, Inter Departmental Competition, Confined Competition and Mobility on an annual basis from 2016 to 2020 (to date). I wish to advise the Deputy that an estimated salary cost to the exchequer has been provided and, as clarified by the Deputy, details for generalist grades only.
All posts recruited by my Department are on a full-time basis. The Civil Service is an equal opportunities employer and a leader in the range of flexible working opportunities offered to staff. There are many schemes available to men and women to support them in achieving a good work life balance, including a wide variety of work-sharing patterns and the Shorter Working Year Scheme.
352. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if consideration will be given to allowing Irish dancing classes resume subject to the appropriate health and safety restrictions when level 5 restrictions cease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34766/20]
View answer363. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 492, 514, 517, 523, 525, 537, 544, 547, 548 and 556 of 3 November 2020, if the situation regarding music education under level 3 and 4 lockdowns will be clarified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35322/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 352 and 363 together.
The Government's Strategy ‘Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19’ sets out a Framework of 5 Levels which outline the broad measures which will apply depending on the level of the virus at any given time. The Plan is designed to help everyone – individuals, organisations and sectors – to better understand, anticipate and prepare for the measures that might be introduced to contain transmission of the virus.
Each level contains a “basket” of measures which are intended, collectively, to contribute to lowering risk of transmission in alignment with the risk level at that time. The set of measures, individually, do not comprise a list of activities or places which are equally safe. Instead, they are “baskets” of measures which are informed by public health understanding of the disease and recognise we can and must prioritise some activities over others. There are naturally difficult choices to be made in which activities to permit.
Under Levels 3, 4 and 5 indoor training that includes dance is only permitted on an individual basis, therefore exercise and dance classes cannot take place.
Under Level 2, indoor dance classes, training and exercise can take place in pods of up to 6 people.
Under Level 1 of the Framework, there is no specific capacity limit, with capacity guided by what can be accommodated safely in the venue while ensuring all protective measures are in place, including social distancing.
The Plan is clear that sectoral guidance also applies and in the case of dance guidance from Sport Ireland should also be considered: https://www.sportireland.ie/covid19/sport-faqs Until 1 December, Ireland is at Level 5 of the Plan. Under this level the public health risk means that we are all being asked to stay at home and one to one music tuition should take place online with certain exceptions. Information on the public health measures in currently in place in relation to the different Levels can be found at www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/resilience-recovery-2020-2021-plan-for-living-with-covid-19/.
The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A-Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No.8) Regulations 2020, which give effect to the level 5 restrictions under the Plan, provides a list of essential retail and essential services which may operate under level 5 restrictions. This list does not include private or commercial music, drama or dance classes.
Education is considered an essential service under the regulations. Under Part 2 of the schedule to the regulations, essential education encompasses primary and post-primary schools, and higher and further education where remote learning is not possible. Where a service provider considers that they fall into the essential education category e.g. as part of the national curriculum or as part of a specific, state-sponsored course of study, they should refer to the Department of Education’s guidance in relation to the operation of education services under Level 5 restrictions.
https://www.education.ie/en/covid-19/
Separately, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has published guidance to support the funded youth work sector. Where a service provider meets the definition of youth work, as defined under Section 3 of the Youth Work Act 2001 and is part of the state funded youth work sector, they should refer to that Department’s guidance.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/58393-guidance-for-youth-organisations-on-resuming-full-services-after-covid-19/
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) continues to keep the epidemiological situation at a national, regional and local level under close review and it continues to consider all options available in relation to the advice it provides to Government.
353. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there are plans to allow restaurants that do not sell alcohol to avail of the Covid-19 adaptation fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34973/20]
View answerThe administration of the Covid-19 Adaptation Grant scheme for tourism businesses is an operational matter for the Board and management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to them for further information and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
354. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of an application by a centre (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34591/20]
View answerAs part of the July Jobs Stimulus, I announced a special fund of €2.5 million to support the reopening of publicly accessible swimming pools in recognition of the particular challenges pool operators face in reopening to the public.
The funding will be distributed to swimming pools through an open and transparent application process administered by Ireland Active (the association for leisure, health and fitness in Ireland). A Steering Group of Sport Ireland, Swim Ireland and Ireland Active has been established to oversee, assess and monitor the process.
I understand that the Covid-19 Swimming Pool Grant scheme closed for applications on Monday 2 November. It is expected, at this point, to communicate the outcome of the application process in early December, dependent on the volume of applications received.
355. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps she plans to take to assist the chauffeur drive sector which has been badly affected by the downturn in tourism numbers and in view of the fact that many are unable to avail of the various schemes such as the Covid-19 adaptation fund, the coach tourism business continuity grant and the Covid-19 credit guarantee scheme; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the sector plays a vital role in the tourism industry particularly in the west of Ireland and is an important link between various tourism services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34798/20]
View answerI fully appreciate the important role the chauffeur drive sector plays as a vital component in supporting the wider tourism industry including hotels, restaurants, cafes and shops in all parts of the country. Budget 2021 included a number of further substantial measures to support and strengthen the tourism sector and are supplemented by the economy-wide business supports and social welfare measures.
A key measure was the provision of an additional €55m in Business Continuity funding to support strategic tourism businesses. This funding will be administered by Fáilte Ireland and focused on those strategic businesses. Fáilte Ireland are currently engaging with those tourism sectors in the design of funding schemes taking into account the effect of other horizontal funding measures.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for any further information in this regard. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
356. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cá mhéad airgead breise a chuirfidh a Roinn ar fáil d’Fhoras na Gaeilge don bhliain seo romhainn; an mbeidh airgead curtha ar fáil le haghaidh maoinithe, mar is ceart a dhéanamh don Scéim Pobal Gaeilge sna Bailte Seirbhíse Gaeltachta atá taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht agus do na Líonraí Gaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [35147/20]
View answerIs í an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas (CATT) a cheadaíonn na buiséid do na Forais Trasteorann uile, An Foras Teanga san áireamh. Is é €1.779m an méadú táscach atá curtha ar fáil don Chomhoibriú Thuaidh Theas i mBuiséad 2021. Cinnteoidh Leis an leithdháileadh maoinithe táscach seo, atá faoi réir breis plé leis an Roinn Pobal i dTuaisceart Éireann, cuirfear ar chumas Fhoras na Gaeilge cur lena gcláir teanga agus chultúir i leith réimsí nua agus maoiniú a mhéadú, más cuí, do ghrúpaí teanga reatha, an Scéim Pobal Gaeilge san áireamh.
Is mian liom a chur in iúl don Teachta freisin go bhfuil ciste iomlán de €5m fógartha don phróiseas pleanála teanga i mbuiséad 2021. Is ardú suntasach é seo ar an €3.7 milliúin atá sa bhuiséad pleanála teanga don bhliain reatha. Cuirfear maoiniú leordhóthanach ar fáil d’Fhoras na Gaeilge ón mbuiséad sin chun cúram a dhéanamh d’ullmhú agus feidhmiú pleananna teanga sa bhliain amach romhainn mar a bhaineann sé leis an gcuid sin den phróiseas a bhaineann leo . Ceadaíodh pleananna teanga an trí Líonra Gaeilge agus Baile Seirbhíse Gaeltachta amháin atá faoi chúram an Fhorais go dáta i mbliana. Cuirfear maoiniú suas le €80,000 an ceann ar fáil d’fheidhmiú na bpleananna sin in aghaidh na bliana agus, faoi réir an tsocraithe seo go ginearálta, cuirfear allúntas bliantúil suas le €100,000 ar fáil do Chathair na Gaillimhe agus do Chathair Chorcaí in am trátha.
Mar is iondúil ag an tráth seo den bhliain, aontófar an chistíocht a bheidh ar fáil don Fhoras don phróiseas pleanála teanga i leith na bliana seo chugainn nuair atá éileamh ina leith faighte ón bhForas agus scrúdaithe ag an Roinn.
357. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will reopen the local authority swimming pool programme to new applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35204/20]
View answerThe Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP) provided grant aid towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools. To date 52 pools have been completed and three swimming pool projects (Lucan, Buncrana and Edenderry) remain in the LASPP. Exchequer support for any new swimming pools is now being provided under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
The LSSIF was launched in 2018 to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects including swimming pools with at least €100m being made available over the period to 2027. Provisional allocations totalling €77.4m for 25 projects under Stream 2 (construction) of the LSSIF were announced on 10 January 2020. On 13th January additional provisional allocations of €5m for a further 7 projects under Stream 1 (design) of the LSSIF were announced. Of these 32 grants, 8 swimming pool projects have been awarded funding.
The evaluation procedures and guidelines for the LSSIF provide that once provisional allocations are announced, the successful projects will undergo a further process of due diligence. This process includes a further review of projects including economic appraisals and feasibility studies as appropriate to comply with the Public Spending Code. This work is continuing and the priority in the short term is on advancing the projects allocated funding in January. While it is not proposed to open the LSSIF for new applications at present, it is planned to review progress on existing grants in 2021 when the question of whether or not it would be appropriate to seek new applications will be considered.
358. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if persons with special needs could be allowed access to outdoor sporting facilities; if tennis, handball, basketball and golf will be deemed an essential service (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35230/20]
View answerGiven the current epidemiological situation with high incidence of disease, widespread community transmission, and considerable numbers of hospitalisations and deaths, it has been necessary to put in place very significant restrictions to arrest the current trajectory of the disease and break transmission chains. This means asking people to stay at home and eliminating as much activity and contacts as is possible to ensure that opportunities for the virus to transmit are minimised, while allowing essential activities to continue. Unfortunately, this means minimising discretionary activities including sporting activity.
While the Government fully understands the benefits that sport brings to peoples overall health and well-being, including older persons, and persons with disabilities and special needs, the measures in place to suppress the disease transmission are intended to minimise the risks to public health while striking the right balance in prioritising and protecting some activities over others. Such activities include health and social care services, education and other essential needs, work and economic activity, and other key societal interests (in so far as possible) such as sports and important family gatherings.
The categories of essential services which are permitted to continue in the current Level 5 public health restrictions are set out in the Health Act 1947 (Section 31a - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 8) Regulations 2020. In this regard, the delivery of essential education and social services for persons with special needs are matters for my colleagues the Minister for Education and Skills and the Minister for Health.
The Government recognises the impacts COVID-19 and the related public health measures are having on our mental health and well-being. The “Keep Well” campaign, launched on 29th October, is aimed at showing people of all ages and abilities how we can mind our own physical and mental health and wellbeing by adding healthy and helpful habits to our daily and weekly routines. It provides guidelines, information, and tips on things that will help us keep well through the coming months. All of this is available on gov.ie/healthyireland.
359. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she is considering allowing outdoor sports facilities to open for persons that are vulnerable and in need of regular exercise including older persons, persons with disabilities and special needs and those suffering from isolation during level 5 Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35241/20]
View answer360. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she is considering allowing outdoor sports facilities to open for persons that are vulnerable and in need of regular exercise including older persons, persons with disabilities and special needs and those suffering from isolation during level 5 Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35285/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 360 together.
Given the current epidemiological situation with high incidence of disease, widespread community transmission, and considerable numbers of hospitalisations and deaths, it has been necessary to put in place very significant restrictions to arrest the current trajectory of the disease and break transmission chains. This means asking people to stay at home and eliminating as much activity and contacts as is possible to ensure that opportunities for the virus to transmit are minimised, while allowing essential activities to continue. Unfortunately, this means minimising discretionary activities including sporting activity.
While the Government fully understands the benefits that sport brings to peoples overall health and well-being, including older persons, and persons with disabilities and special needs, the measures in place to suppress the disease transmission are intended to minimise the risks to public health while striking the right balance in prioritising and protecting some activities over others. Such activities include health and social care services, education and other essential needs, work and economic activity, and other key societal interests (in so far as possible) such as sports and important family gatherings.
The Government recognises the impacts COVID-19 and the related public health measures are having on our mental health and well-being. The “Keep Well” campaign, launched on 29th October, is aimed at showing people of all ages how we can mind our own physical and mental health and wellbeing by adding healthy and helpful habits to our daily and weekly routines. It provides guidelines, information, and tips on things that will help us keep well through the coming months. All of this is available on gov.ie/healthyireland.
361. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the indoor sporting activities that will be permitted at level 3 and 4 when there is an easing of restrictions; if socially-distanced indoor classes can continue under levels 3 and 4; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35288/20]
View answerThe Government's Resilience and Recovery Plan 2020-2021 provides for indoor individual training only in Levels 3 and 4. It also states explicitly that there should be no exercise or dance classes in these levels. The Plan also states that gyms and leisure centres are not permitted to open in Level 4 restrictions.
On the matter of social distancing, Sport Ireland guidance to the sport sector emphasises that social distancing should be adhered to insofar as it is possible at all levels of the Plan. Exercise class providers should strive to ensure that social distancing is maintained in all their classes, for example by limiting occupancy at their premises and enforcing physical distancing between participants. These practical measures can play an important role in preventing disease transmission.
While I am pleased to note that that COVID-19 data indicates improvements across a range of indicators, which gives us hope that the epidemiological situation is once again coming under control, it is too early at this point to consider the easing of restrictions. The current Level 5 restrictions will continue until 2 December.
The Expert Group on the Return to Sport, which was established by my Department in May 2020 has considered the matter of indoor individual training as permitted in Levels 3 and 4 of the Plan. Guidance in draft form has been shared with other relevant Departments. Following completion of the consultation process, it is my expectation that this guidance can be published in the near future, in sufficient time for its application under the appropriate level of the Government’s Resilience and Recovery plan.
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/.
