I propose to take Questions Nos. 415 and 416 together.
I am acutely aware of the devastating impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the arts/culture and live entertainment sectors. To support the industry through this difficult period I have provided funding for a suite of measures designed to sustain and support live performance and employment opportunities in the sector.
As part of this suite of supports, an allocation of €25m was made available for the Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS 2021). I was delighted to be in a position to fund 237 successful applications under this scheme, the details of which are available on my Department’s website. This scheme builds on the successful pilot Live Performance Support Scheme in 2020, which provided thousands of days of employment to hundreds of actors, musicians, crew and technicians in tandem with a pipeline of high quality on-line much needed entertainment for Irish audiences. The grants awarded will help to support employment and wellbeing opportunities across all genres including theatre, music and circus performance.
The Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS) was developed in consultation with the sector and the eligibility criteria aims to strike an appropriate balance having regard to other available supports and the need to reach as many professional musicians and crew as possible. Under this scheme, self-employed businesses including sound crew, musicians, singers, lighting and audio equipment suppliers operating exclusively within the commercial live entertainment sector are eligible to apply.
The grants are intended to provide a contribution towards businesses costs which arise even if the business is not operating e.g. insurance, rent etc. Therefore, details of business costs were required to determine eligibility.
The initial phase of the MEBAS scheme closed for applications on 30 September and I was pleased to launch a second phase of this scheme on 4th October.
The Events Sector Covid Support Scheme is different in both scope and scale. It is aimed at SMEs in the events sector which are not eligible for the CRSS and for whom MEBAS and the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID-19 will not make a significant contribution to fixed costs relative to the level of support that that would be available under CRSS. The eligibility for this scheme was based on demonstration of a loss of at least 75% of turnover during the time when Covid restrictions were in place relative to a businesses turnover in 2019, therefore business expenses were not relevant to the criteria of this scheme. Phase 2 of this scheme opened for applications on 7 October.
As part of Budget 2022 I have allocated €25m for continuing supports for the Live Entertainment Sector. This allocation will build on the supports provided by my Department during the pandemic. I will ensure that those funds are made available early in the new year and am confident that this funding will help drive employment opportunities and activity in the sector.
