Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 February 2022
255. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the degree to which she proposes to support culture activities throughout 2022 having regard to the need for recovery in the sector in the aftermath of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10758/22]
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 am heartened to see so many gigs and live events going ahead at the moment at full capacity, and it is great to see artists and crews back doing what they do best after two very difficult years. 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 to support the recovery of 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 to date 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 four weeks ago 672 applications have been received seeking funding of €2.6m, Payments under this scheme will begin this 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.
