Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 April 2022
284. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the considerations that will be given in terms of support for those rejected from Strand II of the live performance support scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17698/22]
View answerThroughout 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 the live entertainment sector as the industry recovers following the lifting of all restrictions in January.
To this end I have provided a €50 million suite of supports for the live performance sector in 2022 including;
- €15 million allocated for the Live Performance Restart Grant Scheme to support the recovery of the live performance sector by providing business restart grants as a support to de-risk the planning of events across spring and summer of 2022. This scheme is open for applications and further details can be accessed on my department's website at gov.ie/en/publication/d1d0c-live-performance-restart-grant-scheme-lprgs-guidelines/;
- €4m allocated for the MEBAS 2022 (Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme) scheme 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 is open for applications until 31 May 2022, and
- €1m for the Saint Patrick's Festival 2022
€5m was allocated for the LPSS- Strand II to support pantomime and seasonal musical theatre impacted by the Covid restrictions in place in December and January. In order to be eligible for this scheme a business must have VAT-exclusive turnover of €100,000 or above as a result of seasonal musical theatre /pantomime for each of at least two of the past 3 years (2018-2020) in order to be considered.
An applicant may appeal appeal a decision on their LPSS - Strand II application via the appeals process for this scheme, further details of which can be found on my departments website here - gov.ie/en/publication/c2f62-live-performance-support-scheme-2021-strand-ii-seasonal-musical-theatre-panto-support-scheme-appeals/.
