Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2021
18. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has long-term plans to support the arts, music and entertainment sector should there be a prolonged period with fewer persons attending events than has traditionally been the case. [35872/21]
View answerThe arts, music and entertainment sectors were among the sectors to be hardest hit by the crisis and will be take longer to recover than most. I understand the devastating impact that Covid-19 has had on all areas of the arts and I have endeavoured to make sure that the voices of those in this sector have been heard. I have personally met with, and continue to meet with, a wide range of organisations and businesses. Officials in my Department are involved in ongoing and meaningful engagement with the numerous organisations and lobby groups in the sector. This ensures that I have the most up-to-date information to ensure appropriate supports are delivered for the sector.
The Arts Council is the agency through which Government support for the arts sector is delivered. In 2021, I allocated a record €130m to the Arts Council to provide for the sector. In addition, I have to date allocated €61.5m for a suite of measures designed to sustain and support the commercial sector in 2021. These measures incorporate:
- €25m Live Performance Support Scheme
- €14m Music and Entertainment Business Support Scheme
- €11.5m Event Sector Covid Support Scheme
- €5m for live performance delivered through the local authorities;
- €5m Capital Support Scheme
- €1m Patrick's Day Festival
I committed during August to securing a reopening plan for the sector through a clear roadmap for the sustainable reopening of activities in the live entertainment, culture and arts sectors.
At its meeting on 31 August, Government agreed on the return to outdoor and indoor events at the following capacity levels and with maximum available social distancing between groups:
- Indoors – for vaccinated/recovered people and accompanying minors- 60% capacity
- Outdoors - for vaccinated/recovered people and accompanying minors- 75% capacity
- Outdoors - for mixed groups of vaccinated/recovered and unvaccinated people – 50% capacity.
All restrictions on numbers attending events will be lifted on 22 October marking a dramatic and significant positive step for the arts, music and entertainment sector. In the interim, we are seeing increased opportunities for live performance everywhere throughout the State.
Additionally, further schemes are being launched this month to ensure that those in the arts and entertainment sector continue to have adequate supports pending the resumption of activity all across the performing arts.
