I propose to take Questions Nos. 312, 317, 326 and 335 together.
Throughout the pandemic I have been very cognisant of the challenges the restrictions caused for the arts, culture and live entertainment industry and I remain committed to supporting musicians and artists throughout these difficult times. My Department has met with stakeholders regularly, most recently on Friday last, to understand these challenges and put in place appropriate supports for the sector.
A €50 million suite of supports will be provided for the live performance sector in 2022 including;
- €5m for the LPSS 2 to support pantomime and seasonal musical theatre impacted by the Covid restrictions in place in December and January.
- €20 million allocated for the LPSS 3, another strand of the Live Performance Support Scheme to support events which were due to be staged in December 2021 and January 2022 and have been curtailed, cancelled or rescheduled due to the restrictions on audience capacity at live performances at 50% and a closing time of 8pm.
- €4m allocated for another round of the MEBAS (Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme) scheme due to be announced shortly, this scheme is specifically to support small music and entertainment businesses which do not operate out of a rateable premises;
- €5m for Local Authorities to support local artists and performances through the LLPSS (Local Live Performance Support Scheme). This scheme in particular has provided thousands of hours of employment for local musicians, artists and crews.
- €5m to continue the capital supports scheme (CECGS) to venues, including for ventilation upgrades and other COVID adaptations. This scheme opens for applications today.
- €1m for the Saint Patrick's Festival 2022
The change in the proposed allocations for a further round of LPSS was due to the fact that during December I decided to allocate €4m to the 2022 MEBAS scheme. This followed ongoing consultation with the sector in which a clear demand for a second MEBAS scheme emerged.
My Department has continued to examine the supports in place for the sector to ensure that available resources are best deployed to ensure a full recovery is possible, in the context of the full reopening of the sector as of 22 January. In relation to a further round of the Live Performance Support Scheme I expect to make an announcement shortly on this matter.
