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Arts Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2021

Tuesday, 5 October 2021

Questions (265, 266, 267)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

265. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which her Department has directly supported the arts in 2021; her plans for the future in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48351/21]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

266. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she and her Department have identified any particular areas in which further assistance to the arts will be provided in the wake of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48352/21]

View answer

Bernard Durkan

Question:

267. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which employment is being restored throughout the arts community; if any further particular issues have arisen which might warrant her attention in the wake of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48353/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 265 to 267, inclusive, together.

I am acutely aware of the devastating impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the arts/culture and live entertainment sectors. I have engaged with numerous stakeholders in the sector during the course of the pandemic to ensure that appropriate supports were put in place.

Primary support for the arts, including support for a wide range of cultural venues, is delivered by the Arts Council. In 2021, the Government allocated €130m to the Arts Council which is an increase of 62% over the amount initially allocated for 2020. The Arts Council is independent in its funding decisions under the Arts Act 2003. The Arts Council announced details of its investment plans last February and this included a range of initiatives aimed at supporting artists and arts organisations.

From the outset of the COVID-19 crisis, the Arts Council adopted a pro-active approach to supporting individual artists of all genres as well as arts and culture organisations. The Council introduced new and enhanced funding programmes and the details as well as the recipients are provided on the Arts Council’s website.

To support the industry through this difficult period I have to date allocated funding for a suite of measures designed to sustain and support live performance and employment opportunities in the sector, including the following schemes detailed in the following table.

Scheme

Allocation

-

Live Performance Support Scheme 2021 (LPSS2021)

€25m

238 successful applications have been allocated grants under this scheme. This fund has been fully allocated.

Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS I, II & MEBAS Phase 2)

€4m

780 applications have been approved to date for MEBAS I & II, with almost €2m issued in payments. MEBAS Phase 2 is now open for applications, with a fund of €2m available. Previous recipients of MEBAS are also eligible to apply under MEBAS Phase 2.

Event Sector Covid Support Scheme (€11.5m of which was funded via transfer from D/ETE) & ESCSS Phase 2

€16.5m

Over 300 applications have been approved to date with almost €10.5m issued in payments. ESCSS Phase 2 will open for applications on 7th October with a fund of €5m available. Previous recipients of ESCSS will also be eligible to apply under ESCSS Phase 2.

Local Live Performance Programming Scheme (LLPPS)

€5m

This fund has been fully allocated, with grants awarded to all 31 local authorities.

Commercial Entertainment Capital Grant Scheme

€5m

This scheme will open for applications on 14th October as a targeted support for commercial businesses operating from a premises in the arts, music and entertainment sector which have been significantly negatively impacted by COVID-19 restrictions. Grants will be paid to successful applicants as a contribution to capital costs associated with reopening after closures due to the pandemic.

Patrick's Day Festival

€1m

€1 million was allocated to the St Patrick's Festival 2021 for programming, supporting over 3,500 days of employment for performers, producers, artists, technicians, creatives and support staff. This fund has been allocated in full.

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.

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