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Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 July 2020

Wednesday, 22 July 2020

Ceisteanna (43, 55)

James Browne

Ceist:

43. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Her plans to support the arts and music sector in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16779/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Pa Daly

Ceist:

55. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the contingency planning that has taken place within her Department with respect to the arts, music and entertainment industry having to function with an indefinite period of social distancing and limits on audience numbers, particularly in relation to the logistics of concerts, plays and other live performances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16594/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 55 together.

On 19 June, the Government, based on public health advice provided by the National Public Health Emergency Team, approved the rephasing of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. Apart from some exceptions, most sectors were brought forward to Phase 3, which began on Monday 29 June. Due to social distancing and public confidence issues, the reopening of live performance and entertainment venues will prove challenging. While the Government's objective is to get people back to work as quickly as possible, public health and safety remains a top priority. This is why the move to Phase 4 of the Roadmap for reopening society and business was paused. The current restrictions of 50 people at indoor gatherings and 200 people at outdoor gatherings have been extended to 10 August.

The National Return to Work Safely Protocol is a guide for organisations making assessments and adapting workplace procedures and practices to comply with the COVID-19 public health protection measures. Theatre Forum published guidelines for the reopening of arts and cultural facilities and these have been adopted by the Arts Council.

The Arts Council is the primary route through which Government funds the arts and artists in Ireland. The 2020 allocation to the Council has been increased to €100 million, including an additional €20 million allocated to assist the Council is addressing the challenges facing the sector. The Arts Council has indicated that it will allocate significant additional funding to bursaries and commissions to artists and arts organisations.

Last week, I announced that my Department would provide capital grants for arts and culture organisations to enable them to undertake appropriate alterations to help them to reopen safely.

The Government operates measures to support businesses affected by COVID-19 that apply to all sectors of the economy, including those who work in the arts, music and entertainment industry. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment operates support packages designed to assist businesses in the management of their companies and allow them to start charting a path forward for weeks and months ahead.

The Government has extended its two universal income support measures. The Pandemic Unemployment Payment, operated by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection is extended to 10 August. The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme operated by the Revenue Commissioners, has been extended to 31 August and allows employers to retain the link with employees so that when the crisis passes, people can get back to work as quickly and seamlessly as possible.

In addition to the measures to be announced by the Government in the context of the July stimulus, the Government has also committed to bringing forward a National Economic Plan, to be published alongside the Budget in October, which will outline the Government’s plans to support the long-term sustainability of the economy. In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, I will shortly appoint a taskforce to develop an approach for the recovery of arts and culture sector which will in turn inform the National Economic Plan.

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