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Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 February 2021

Wednesday, 10 February 2021

Questions (274, 275)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

274. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of individual performers who received employment through the live performance support scheme (details supplied). [7221/21]

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Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

275. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a report will be produced on the success or otherwise of the live performance support scheme before the scheme is implemented again; when such a report will be completed and published; and when a decision will be made on the continuation of the scheme. [7222/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 274 and 275 together.

Over €5 million in funding was provided through the pilot Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS) to assist commercial venues, producers and promoters to plan live performances across the country, with a total of 59 organisations benefitting from the scheme. The main objective of this pilot scheme was to provide employment opportunities in this uncertain time and allow commercial organisers of live performances to prepare productions for either a live audience or to share content through streaming.

My Department continues to receive very positive feedback in relation to this pilot scheme. Officials in my Department are compiling data in relation to the pilot Live Performance Support Scheme including information relating to performances and these findings will be published shortly. The Deputy should note, however, that the LPSS aimed to provide employment and income to a wide range of creatives, crew and support staff and not just to performers. In fact, performers made up a minority of the people who benefited from the scheme. For example, the Live Venue Collective received 23 of the 59 grants, published a post event report. The Report showed that of 2,110 people who were engaged to work, 655 were artists. The Report which lists all of the participating artists and bands is available at the following link:

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f8da465d3ff107278a2df78/t/6016c586264e010802345ab0/1612105148938/LVC_Post+Event+Report_FINAL.pdf.

An allocation of €50 million was made in Budget 2021 for the live performance sector. It is intended that the rollout of the funding would include measures that will build on grant schemes launched under the July stimulus, such as the pilot Live Performance Support Scheme and the Music Industry Support Package. Officials have gained valuable insights from these schemes and will apply these learnings when allocating funding this year. Other measures are also under consideration including those which have emerged from engagement with the sector and with stakeholders. This engagement is ongoing and it is hoped that further details and decisions will be announced shortly.

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