I propose to take Questions Nos. 272, 273 and 274 together.
I am acutely aware of the challenges facing all musicians 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 have gained valuable insights from these schemes 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 included recent meetings between officials of my Department and the Music and Entertainment Association of Ireland. It is hoped that further details and decisions will be announced shortly.
In December I was also pleased to announce funding of €230,000 for the expansion of the Minding Creative Minds Wellbeing and Support Services to the entire Irish creative sector, both home and abroad. This innovative 24/7 wellbeing support programme provides the Irish creative community with access to experienced counsellors and psychotherapists who can offer short-term intervention and advice covering practical, day-to-day issues that cause anxiety and stress. Details of these services are available at this link https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/3fb03-minister-martin-announces-funding-of-230000-for-the-expansion-of-the-minding-creative-minds-support-service-to-the-irish-creative-sector/ . This funding comes after a recent recommendation from the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce which specifically highlighted the need for wellbeing supports for the sector.
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.