Written Answers Nos. 218-232
218. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the wage subsidy scheme when summer camps open for the summer period (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25242/21]
View answerThe objective of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) is to support all employment and maintain the link between the employer and employee insofar as is possible. The EWSS has been a key component of the Government’s response to the continued Covid-19 crisis to support viable firms and encourage employment in the midst of these very challenging times. To date, payments of over €3 billion and PRSI credit of over €500 million have been granted to 48,900 employers in respect of 558,000 workers.
I have been clear that there will be no cliff-edge to the EWSS and, as the Deputy will be aware, it was decided that the scheme is being extended until the end of June 2021. Similarly, the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme is also been extended to end June 2021.
Motions seeking Dáil approval of the extension of the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme and the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme to 30 June 2021 took place on Thursday 22 April, during which I reaffirmed the Government’s commitment that there would be no cliff-edge to the economic supports at the end of June.
With the agreement by Government on the revised plan, COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021: The Path Ahead, a cautious and measured approach will be taken as we lay the foundations for the full recovery of social life, public services and the economy. It is therefore appropriate that key business supports should remain in place until the end of June 2021.
As the revised plan is implemented, the EWSS will play an important role in getting people back to work as public health restrictions are eased, thereby reducing the numbers dependent on social welfare payments over time, including the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP).
Consideration is being given to the fact that continued support for businesses could be necessary out to the end of 2021 to help maintain viable enterprises and employment and to provide firms with certainty to the maximum extent possible. Decisions on the form of such support will take account of emerging circumstances and economic conditions as they become clearer.
The Government will continue to assess the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy and I will continue to work with Ministerial colleagues to ensure that within the resources available appropriate supports are in place to mitigate these effects.
For those businesses who may need additional support during this period, I would draw attention to the comprehensive package of other business and employer supports that have been made available since the July Stimulus Plan and Budget 2021 - including the Covid Restriction Support Scheme (CRSS), the Credit Guarantee Scheme, the SBCI Working Capital Scheme, Sustaining Enterprise Fund, and the Covid-19 Business Loans Scheme.
The Government remains fully committed to supporting businesses and employers insofar as is possible at this time.
219. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if businesses that are eligible for the Covid restrictions support scheme that were delayed in submitting their claim can receive the payment backdated to the closure of their business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25315/21]
View answerThe CRSS is a targeted support for businesses significantly impacted by restrictions introduced by the Government under public health regulations to combat the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The support is available to companies, self-employed individuals and partnerships who carry on a trade or trading activities, the profits from which are chargeable to tax under Case I of Schedule D, from a business premises located in a region subject to restrictions introduced in line with the Living with Covid-19 Plan.
Details of CRSS are set out in Finance Act 2020 and detailed operational guidelines, which are based on the terms and conditions of the scheme as set out in the legislation, have been published on the Revenue website at: https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/press-office/budget-information/2021/crss-guidelines.pdf
Where a business is eligible to make a claim under the CRSS, a claim may be made through the Revenue Online System (ROS). A claim may be made up to eight weeks from the date on which a claim period commences, which in most cases will be the first day on which the Covid restrictions apply to the business concerned. Where Covid restrictions continue to apply to the business beyond a period of three weeks, the eight-week time limit applies from the first day of each three-week period for which the Covid restrictions continue to apply to the business.
In order to make a claim, a business must first register for CRSS via the eRegistration system on ROS. A person must have an up to date tax clearance certificate in order to successfully register. As part of the registration process, the person will be required to provide certain information in relation to the business premises and turnover. In some cases, the registration may not be completed within the eight-week time period for making a claim for payment under CRSS. This might arise where the registration application is made towards the end of the eight-week time limit or where Revenue requests additional information in connection with the application. In these circumstances, to ensure that a business is not adversely affected, and provided the business applies to be registered within the eight-week time period and provides the required information as part of the registration process, the business will be able to make a claim within three weeks of being registered for CRSS where this is later than the expiry of the eight-week time limit.
Also, in order to be eligible for the scheme, the person carrying on the business must hold a valid tax clearance certificate. Revenue do not have the flexibility to extend the CRSS beyond the terms of the legislation.
220. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance if a list will be provided of the activate capital investments for which Ireland Strategic Investment Fund capital was used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25319/21]
View answerThe Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) has informed me that matters related to Activate Capital are commercial matters and therefore it is not appropriate for me to comment on them as Minister for Finance.
However, the ISIF has a current commitment of €400m to Activate Capital, a senior lending platform which funds residential development projects in Ireland.
Since inception to 31st December 2020, Activate funding has supported the completion of 2,073 (sold or contracted) new homes.
I am further informed that Activate is currently supporting construction activity on 28 sites nationwide, all sites funded to date have the capacity to deliver over 14,800 units.
Since 2019, Activate Capital has broadened out its funding base with the addition of a large European pension group in October 2019 and a US investment fund in November 2020, alongside the existing investor base of ISIF and KKR.
221. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance the reason the long-term lease of farmland for renewable energy projects is not eligible for the tax-free exemption for the long-term leasing of farmland; his plans to review this anomaly in view of the policy to increase the amount of renewable electricity on the grid in 2030 by 133%-250%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25355/21]
View answerSection 664 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (‘relief for certain income from leasing of farm land’) provides for the exemption of certain income from tax in connection with the leasing of farm land, where the land is let under a qualifying lease. This particular relief was designed to encourage longer term leases of farm land, with the targeted policy objective of assisting with the mobility and productive use of agricultural land. It is not clear how the suggestion to include within the scope of the relief land leased for renewable energy projects would be consistent with the purpose of the section 664.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the introduction of any new tax expenditure measure takes place in the context of the annual Budget and Finance Bill process. Proposals for tax expenditure measures are assessed in accordance with my Department's Tax Expenditure Guidelines. These make clear that it is important that any policy proposal which involves tax expenditures should only occur in limited circumstances where there are demonstrable market failures and where a tax-based incentive is more efficient than a direct expenditure intervention.
Furthermore, I must always be mindful of the public finances and the many demands on the Exchequer. Tax reliefs, no matter how worthwhile in themselves, lead to a narrowing of the tax base and a strong and convincing case for the benefits and outcomes needs to be articulated in order for due consideration to be given for the commitment of scarce taxpayer resources for such reliefs.
222. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance if consideration is being given to the introduction of a scrappage scheme for fossil fuel cars to facilitate the uptake of electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25371/21]
View answerOfficials from my Department have considered the introduction of a car-scrappage scheme for fossil fuel cars to facilitate the uptake of electric vehicles, and it is the Department’s view that a VRT based car-scrappage scheme is unlikely to work well.
Typically, a scrappage scheme works via the mechanism that older cars are traded into dealerships for scrappage, in exchange for a VRT relief on the purchase of a new car. The current system already provides for a €5,000 relief on VRT for electric cars valued at an open market selling price of €40,000 and below, with a tapered relief up to €50,000. In addition, low-emitting electric vehicles will benefit from a low VRT rate of 7%. A car scrappage scheme based on the provision of VRT relief would therefore be ineffective because no (or a much reduced rate of) VRT is paid on the registration of most Battery Electric Vehicles to begin with.
Furthermore, the target for the scheme would be motorists with older cars. There is unlikely to be much crossover between the population of motorists with old low-value cars and the population of motorists who might be in the market for a new, more expensive electric vehicle.
For these reasons, there are currently no plans to introduce a car-scrappage scheme.
223. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance the details of the information his Department collates as per circular 20/2019 (details supplied); the date this report was issued; the location on his Departmental website on which it can be found; and the progress in relation to green procurement that has been made to date. [25431/21]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that my Department is fully supportive of the reporting obligations and commitments to promote the use of environmental considerations in its procurement of goods and services, as set out in Action No.148 of the Climate Action Plan 2019 and Circular 20/2019.
The following Green Public Procurement reporting requirements apply to all Departments:
a) Each Department should state how it intends to incorporate green considerations in their Corporate Procurement Plan.
b) Starting with the 2020 Annual Report, each Department must report annually on progress in relation to Green Public Procurement.
Some detailed information collated in relation to Circular 20/2019 obligations is as follows:
1. The Department’s Corporate Procurement Plan will include a commitment to the usage of green criteria in future tendering competitions where appropriate. To further support the promotion of green procurement activity within the Department, my officials are engaging with the Office of the Government Procurement and the Environmental Protection Agency in relation to green procurement training and information seminars.
2. My Department recorded one contract in excess of €25,000 (VAT exclusive) in relation to window cleaning which contained ‘green/environmental’ procurement criteria. The Report was submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on 31 March 2021.
3. The Department’s 2020 Annual Report will include the above contract along with a progress update in relation to green procurement activity. A copy of the 2020 Annual Report will be available on the Department’s website after it has been published. My officials will inform the Deputy’s Office when the 2020 Annual Report is available online.
224. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Finance the status of issues facing home buyers in East Wall, Dublin 3 in relation to home cover and perceived flood risks; the funding allocated to this area in relation to flood risk management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25501/21]
View answerAs Minister for Finance, I am responsible for the development of the legal framework governing financial services regulation, including for the insurance sector. It is important at the outset to state that the provision of cover is a commercial matter for insurance companies. This is based on an assessment of the risks they are willing to accept. Consequently, neither I nor the Central Bank of Ireland can interfere in the provision or pricing of insurance products, as reinforced by the EU framework for insurance (Solvency II Directive). However, I would like to assure the Deputy that insurance reform is a key priority for the Government, and Minister of State Fleming and I will continue to play a lead role in this policy area.
Current government policy in relation to increasing flood insurance coverage is primarily focused on the development of a sustainable, planned and risk-based approach to managing flooding problems. Almost €1 billion in flood relief measures is being invested over the lifetime of the National Development Plan 2018-2027, with an expectation that insurers will provide cover where this has occurred. This approach is complemented by a Memorandum of Understanding between the Office of Public Works (OPW) and industry representatives Insurance Ireland. This provides for the exchange of data in relation to completed flood defence schemes which should, in turn, provide a basis for the increased provision of flood insurance in these areas.
While there has been an overall increase in the provision of flood insurance between 2015 and 2020, it is recognised that some householders are still experiencing difficulties. This is particularly the case for households in areas with demountable flood defences. I am conscious of the challenges that the absence or withdrawal of flood insurance cover can cause to homeowners and businesses. My officials are engaging with both Insurance Ireland, the OPW and other stakeholders regarding flood defence schemes and how the levels of insurance cover might be improved in areas where flood defence works have been completed.
With regard to flood risk management in East Wall, Dublin 3, I have been advised by the OPW that the area is afforded flood protection from two flood defence schemes progressed by both it and Dublin City Council.
Part of East Wall is protected by the Tolka Flood Relief Scheme. The Dublin City element of this was completed in 2008 at a cost of approximately €7.5m, and protects approximately 1,345 properties. The area in question also experienced significant tidal flooding in November 2002 when the Royal Canal overtopped. This is now protected by the upgrade of Spencer Dock Sea Lock. Dublin City Council completed the Spencer Dock Scheme in 2009 with OPW funding of €3.4m protecting approximately 1,200 properties. As a result of this investment, I understand the high tide event of January 2014, which was higher than 2002, did not result in any flooding in the East Wall area.
225. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the Enniscorthy flood defence scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25256/21]
View answerThe Enniscorthy (River Slaney) flood defence scheme is being progressed by Wexford County Council (WCC) on behalf of the Commissioners of Public Works as a scheme under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995. This is a significant scheme within the Office of Public Works €1 billion flood relief investment programme nationally, from which the relevant funding for the Enniscorthy scheme will be made available, and on completion will protect 236 properties in the town.
The Scheme requires formal confirmation from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (MPER) to proceed. This is a statutory requirement under the Arterial Drainage Acts (ADA), which now, under the recent European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Arterial Drainage) Regulations 2019, also requires the MPER to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the proposed Scheme. This involves, inter alia, a formal review by MPER of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) commissioned by WCC and recently submitted (along with a Natura Impact Statement) to MPER as part of the formal Confirmation process.
DPER ran the statutory public consultation period required in relation to this process from July 28th to August 28th, 2020. The initial phase of the review of the EIAR and NIS was carried out by consultants engaged for this purpose by DPER, during September and early October. DPER subsequently forwarded submissions from the public consultation, and the EIAR and NIS reviews, to the OPW, along with a request for supplementary information, pursuant to ADA regulations 2019, to ensure that the design of the scheme complies with relevant environmental directives and regulations.
The OPW, Wexford County Council, and scheme consultants Mott Mc Donald formally submitted their response to DPER in the final week of April 2021. DPER and their consultants will now proceed to review the material submitted with a view to confirming the scheme. It is not possible to provide a specific timeline for a formal decision regarding confirmation in advance of that.
Completion of the above tasks and the progression of the flood relief scheme is a priority for all parties. In parallel with the confirmation process, OPW and Wexford County Council have been working on the following to ensure as efficient progression of the works as possible once the scheme is confirmed –
- the Foreshore licence application public consultation has been completed, approval expected mid 2021
- a legal agreement with Irish Water for diversion of services has been agreed. The detailed design for these works is complete, and contractor tender documents are currently being reviewed prior to advertisement.
- Technical approvals have been received from Irish Rail regarding the rail line crossings, with the legal agreement well advanced
- Archaeological excavations are ongoing
- Removal of invasive species (e.g. Japanese Knotweed) is ongoing
- Pre-qualification of the bridgeworks contractor is almost complete, with a view to expediting contractor appointment post-confirmation
226. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when recruitment for personnel (details supplied) will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25372/21]
View answerIt is OPWs intention to run a panel recruitment competition during 2021 for General Operatives at Kennedy Park and Arboretum, New Ross, Co. Wexford
227. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details of the information his Department collates as per circular 20/2019 (details supplied); the date this report was issued; the location on his Departmental website on which it can be found; and the progress in relation to green procurement that has been made to date. [25437/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, good progress has already been made by the Department in including strategic, green and social policy considerations in public procurement processes more broadly. This has been done for example through: (a) the publication of an Information Note on Incorporating Social Considerations into Public Procurement in 2018; (b) the roll out of Circular 20/2019: Promoting the use of Environmental and Social Considerations in Public Procurement and (c) the ongoing work of the cross-departmental Social Considerations Advisory Group chaired by the Office of Government Procurement, which is part of my Department.
The Department’s internal procurement policy sets out the policies and procedures for the procurement of goods and services by the Department and provides, among other things, that all staff involved in procurement in the Department must be fully aware of and must comply with applicable legislation and Government policies.
Among the roles of the Department's Procurement Officer is the provision of advice as and when required to staff procuring goods and services to assist them in complying with their obligations under the Department’s procurement policy, including in respect of the application of green procurement criteria. It should be noted in this context that the Department's own core procurement requirements mainly involve the procurement of professional services, such as business consultancy, training and advisory services, the contracts for which do not generally facilitate the inclusion of green procurement criteria. Contracts for the procurement of products, such as the procurement of IT equipment for example, include green criteria where appropriate.
The Department's Contracts Register facilitates monitoring and reporting in relation to contracts entered into by the Department. Work currently underway to transfer the Contracts Register to a new ICT system is expected to be completed by end June 2021 and the new system will include additional information fields, including whether or not green procurement criteria were considered applicable in respect of a contract.
The annual Corporate Procurement Plan assesses, on a whole of Department basis, the procurement arrangements that need to be put in place by the Department over a period of four years into the future, including arrangements to replace contracts that are due to expire, or have recently expired. This annual process provides the opportunity to examine the potential, where applicable, for the aggregation of procurement activities to allow the market to be approached in a manner that would secure a more efficient outcome and maximise savings, as well as facilitating an exchange of information with the Office of Government Procurement and early engagement with it in respect of its current and planned arrangements, as well as bespoke arrangements. Information on whether or not green procurement criteria are considered applicable in respect of the procurement processes involved will be recorded as part of the process of completing the Corporate Procurement Plan for 2021-2024.
I can confirm that the Department’s Annual Report for 2020 includes, at Appendix 1, the completed template in respect Green Public Procurement developed by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment in response to the requirements of Circular 20/2019. This is available at this link: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/da1589-dper-annual-reports-2013-16/
228. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the grant programmes available to sports clubs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25237/21]
View answerIn relation to support provided directly by my Department, the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country.
The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1 March. By the closing date, 3,106 applications were submitted seeking over €200m in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received. The scoring system and assessment manual for the 2020 round has now been finalised and is available at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie . Given the record number of applications and the detailed information contained in each application, the assessment process will take a number of months to complete. It is envisaged that allocations to "equipment- only" applications will be made during the Summer with allocations to other capital projects announced before the end of the year.
In relation to future rounds of the Programme, any organisation that has not already registered with the Department and wishes to apply for funding must first register on www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie. Organisations must have a tax registration number from the Revenue Commissioners if they wish to register.
Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding across its various programmes. Sport Ireland does not provide direct funding for clubs but channels the funding through the National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs). Sport Ireland provides annual grant funding to NGBs, Local Sports Partnerships and other sporting organisations. Sport clubs should contact their NGB in relation to supports available through the NGB.
229. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the outdoor seating and accessories scheme will be expanded to include pubs that have outdoor seating but do not serve food. [25269/21]
View answerFáilte Ireland’s Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme is being delivered in partnership with local authorities and has the specific aim of developing outdoor dining capacity nationwide. Under one strand of this scheme, grants for outdoor seating and accessories are available to a range of businesses selling food for consumption on their premises. Work is underway to examine how pubs that do not serve food can be similarly supported.
The Government remains committed to supporting tourism through this difficult period and to working towards reopening and recovery. In this regard, the Government will soon be publishing a National Economic Recovery Plan outlining how we will help people return to work and support sectors which have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Government will consider more targeted measures to help reboot those sectors, such as tourism, which face particular challenges during the recovery phase when the economy reopens.
230. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will report on the 2021 sports capital programmes including local, regional and large scale projects; the timelines in respect of each aspect of the programme for future allocation announcements and opening for applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25330/21]
View answerThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country.
The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1 March. By the closing date, 3,106 applications were submitted seeking over €200m in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received.
The scoring system and assessment manual for the 2020 round has now been finalised and is available at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie . Given the record number of applications and the detailed information contained in each application, the assessment process will take a number of months to complete. It is envisaged that allocations to applications for equipment- only will be made first during the Summer with allocations to other capital projects announced before the end of the year. Local and regional allocations will be announced at the same time.
In relation to larger projects, the National Sports Policy published in 2018 provided for the establishment of a Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The National Development Plan provided a capital allocation of at least €100m over the period to 2027 for the Fund. The aim of the fund is to provide support for larger sports facilities where the Exchequer investment is greater than the maximum amount available under the SCEP.
Approximately €86.4m of this allocation has already been awarded to 33 proposals and the priority in the short term is on advancing these projects. While it is not proposed to open the LSSIF for new applications at present, my Department is undertaking a review of the LSSIF which is expected to be complete in the coming months. This review will consider, inter alia, progress on all existing grants and whether any additional grants should be awarded including to previously unsuccessful applications. The timing of any new call for proposals will also be considered. Any new allocations or a new call for proposals will be dependent on receiving additional funding for the LSSIF following the completion of the review of the National Development Plan.
231. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the plans that are under consideration to enable spectators to attend sporting events during 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25335/21]
View answerThe Department will work with the Department of Health and Department of the Taoiseach to prepare proposals on the holding of a limited number of pilot live events for sport and live entertainment, both indoor and outdoor. This is to inform the safe reopening of these activities and events when the public health situation allows.
It is hoped to begin hosting these events in the Summer, depending on the epidemiological situation at the time and subject to the roll out of the vaccination programme. All options for the safe roll out of these events are currently being considered.
In the meantime the Department will work with sporting and cultural bodies and make practical preparations for these test events. Guidelines and plans for the pilot music and sport events are in development. Further details will be announced in due course.
232. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the details of the disbursement of the €50 million live entertainment sector support scheme announced in Budget 2021; the amount disbursed to date; the recipients of that funding; the dates they received the funding; the amount of this fund that has not yet been disbursed; when decisions will be made on the recipients of the remaining funding; and when that funding will be transferred to the approved recipients. [25361/21]
View answerI allocated €50 million to a suite of measures to assist the live performance sector. €25m has been allocated to Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS 2021) which has now closed for applications. Over 400 applications had been received by the closing date of 14 April. Assessment of applications to the scheme is underway and the results will be announced shortly. LPSS 2021 builds on the successful pilot Live Performance Support Scheme in 2020, which provided thousands of days of employment to hundreds of musicians, actors, crew and technicians in tandem with a pipeline of high quality on-line much needed entertainment for Irish audiences. The 2021 scheme is aimed at supporting employment and wellbeing opportunities across all genres and the continued production of high quality artistic output for the public.
An allocation of €14m is being made available for the Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS) to make a contribution to the overheads of businesses, specifically musicians and related crew, that have been significantly negatively affected by COVID-19 and that do not qualify for other business supports. The main features of this new scheme will see support offered by way of two levels of flat payments:
- €2,500 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover of €20,000 - €100,000;
- €5,000 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover in excess of €100,000.
Under the scheme, businesses including musicians, singers, lighting and sound crew and audio equipment suppliers - whether sole traders, partnerships or incorporated entities - operating exclusively within the commercial live entertainment sector will be eligible to apply. This scheme has been developed following wide consultation with the sector. It is hoped that the MEBAS will open for applications this month.
An allocation of €5 million will be made available to local authorities for live performances in summer 2021 to animate town centres, should public health considerations permit. This will allow for the procurement by local authorities of performances by local performers. Performances can be recorded or streamed if health restrictions prevent live events. This funding will be allocated shortly.
€5 million will also be made available for a scheme of capital supports for the commercial live entertainment sector.
Up to €1 million was allocated to the St Patrick's Festival 2021 for programming and it supported over 3,500 days of employment for performers, producers, artists, technicians, creatives and support staff. With gatherings still restricted, SPF 2021 curated a rich and dynamic programme of events involving hundreds of artists, musicians, performers, creators, and community organisations which was broadcast on the St. Patrick’s Festival TV online channel marking the national day.
