Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 February 2022
99. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the live performance support scheme No. 4 will be open to new entrants; when the closing date will be; and the timeframe that will be covered by this scheme. [8522/22]
View answerFrom January 22nd Government agreed that all remaining restrictions on live entertainment including the 8pm closing and 50% capacity at live events would be lifted. This represents the full reopening of our economy and our society, and is a crucial opportunity to return to work for those who work in the live entertainment and events sector.
I was very cognisant of the challenges the restrictions caused for the arts/culture and live entertainment industry in 2021 and I provided grants of over €55m to support the sector and drive employment opportunities for artists and crews, through the introduction of the following schemes:
- Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS)
- Events Sector Covid Support Scheme (ESCSS)
- Local Live Performance Support Scheme (LLPSS)
- Music and Entertainment Support Scheme (MEBAS)
- Commercial Entertainment Capital Grant Scheme (CECGS)
- St. Patrick's Festival
These schemes provided thousands of hours of employment for artists and crews at a time when restrictions were such that there were no employment opportunities. The schemes also provided a pipeline of high quality artistic output.
In 2022 I have put a number of supports in place for the live entertainment sector including the following:
- €5m for Live Performance Support Scheme Strand 2 – for pantomime and seasonal musical theatre events curtailed or cancelled in December 2021 and January 2022. Grants of €2.6m have also been offered under the LPSS 2 to date with payments made of almost €600,000.
- €20m for the Live Performance Support Scheme 3 – for events cancelled, curtailed or rescheduled in December 2021 and January 2022. Grants of over €4.6m have been offered under LPSS 3 to date with payments made totalling almost €800,000.
- €4m for the 2022 Music and Entertainment Support Scheme (MEBAS). Since it opened three weeks ago over 530 people have applied under the scheme for funding of €2.3m. Payments under this scheme will begin next week.
- €5m for the Commercial Entertainment Capital Grant Scheme (CECGS)
In relation to a further round of the Live Performance Support Scheme, my Department is currently examining all options for the proposed scheme and I expect to make an announcement shortly on this matter.
