Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2021
267. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the €50 million expanded live performance scheme will be accepting applications; the parameters or conditions for application; when she is announcing the opening of the scheme for applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11467/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra275. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if hardship funding will be provided to the artists, musicians and entertainment workers ineligible for the Covid restrictions support scheme and Covid business aid scheme who are struggling to pay bills and now face going without work until June 2021. [11504/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra276. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when and the way she plans to spend the €50 million promised in live entertainment funding in Budget 2021; and the reason none of this funding has been provided to date to struggling workers and businesses. [11505/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra278. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when details will be available in relation to funding for the live entertainment fund announced in Budget 2021; when funding will be released; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11650/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 267, 275, 276 and 278 together.
I am acutely aware of the challenges facing those working in the live entertainment sector who rely on live performance to sustain their livelihoods on foot of necessary public health restrictions. An allocation of €50 million was made in Budget 2021 for the live performance sector. It is envisaged that the rollout of this funding would include measures such as a grant scheme along the lines of the pilot "Live Performance Support Scheme."
Officials in my Department have gained valuable insights from this scheme and will apply these learnings when allocating funding this year. Other measures are also under consideration including those which have emerged from engagement with the sector and with stakeholders. This engagement is ongoing and it is hoped that further details and decisions will be announced shortly.
My colleague the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has in place a range of business and financial supports available to help businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and these can be viewed at the following link https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports. This includes a new scheme called the COVID Business Aid Scheme (CBAS) which is aimed at those businesses who fall outside the eligibility requirements for CRSS. Supports such as the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and the CRSS will continue to be made available to those impacted. The Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) is also available to help maintain people in jobs.
