Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 July 2020
29. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the need for supports for the country and Irish music industry and Irish artists following Covid-19 will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16588/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra30. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of measures being introduced to support small theatres which have experienced significant disruption due to Covid-19. [17282/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 30 together.
My Department has been engaged with a wide range of stakeholders in relation to the impact of COVID-19. These have include both the traditionally subsidised arts and also commercial entertainment interests. In respect of the former, primary support for the arts in Ireland is delivered by the Arts Council, which is independent in its funding decisions under the Arts Act 2003.
The House is aware that in June, an additional €20m was allocated to the Arts Council, bringing its 2020 allocation to €100m. The Houses of the Oireachtas voted the Supplementary Estimate through earlier this month. The Arts Council has indicated that it will allocate a significant portion of the additional funding to bursaries and commissions to artists and arts organisations over the coming weeks and months.
In the meantime, my Department has supported a range of initiatives to bring cultural and creative content to the public during the period of restrictions. These include Culture Ireland's Ireland Performs initiative, Other Voices Courage, Criunniú na nÓg, as well as the Hot Press Lockdown Sessions. These initiatives employed artists, musicians performing live as well as technicians and crew.
On the broad level of supports, in order to help many sectors including the Irish music and events industry to overcome the unprecedented challenges posed by Covid-19, the Government has put in place a package of supports that includes direct grants, low-cost loans, the write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities. A number of universal supports in place for all sectors including the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme for employers which has been extended to 31 August. The Pandemic Unemployment Payment has been extended to 10 August. In addition to these there are jobseekers benefit and jobseekers assistance schemes as well as Jobseekers Assistance for Self-Employed Artists.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment that the Government will publish a series of actions to support the economy through the recently published July stimulus. In this context, the Government will, among other things, consider further additional measures that may be need to support a number of sectors including the arts and culture sector .
In addition, I will shortly appoint a taskforce for the recovery of arts and culture sector, including music.
