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Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021

Wednesday, 28 April 2021

Ceisteanna (77, 105)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

77. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to the ban on live music at weddings under new Fáilte Ireland guidelines for level 3; if her attention has been drawn to the further difficulties this is causing for those working as musicians and or working in bands; if she has considered speaking with her Ministerial colleagues in relation to reviewing the decision; and if not, if she has considered additional supports for businesses and self-employed persons in the music industry. [43938/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

105. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the €50 million provided for the arts and culture live entertainment sector in Budget 2021 to survive and recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. [21487/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 105 together.

I understand the difficulties current restrictions pose for couples on their special day and the challenges facing all musicians who rely on live performance to sustain their livelihoods on foot of necessary public health restrictions. 

I have put in place a range of sector specific supports for musicians, bands and those working in the live entertainment sector.  These initiatives are in addition to to the broad range of horizontal supports provided by the Government.  Recently, I was pleased to announce a €50 million suite of measures, which include the €25m Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS 2021).  Assessment of applications to the scheme are currently underway. LPSS 2021 builds on the successful pilot Live Performance Support Scheme in 2020, which provided thousands of days of employment to hundreds of musicians, actors, crew and technicians in tandem with a pipeline of high quality on-line much needed entertainment for Irish audiences. The 2021 scheme is aimed at supporting employment and wellbeing opportunities across all genres and the continued production of high quality artistic output for the public.

An allocation of €14m will be made available for the Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS) to make a contribution to the overheads of businesses, specifically musicians and related crew, that have been significantly negatively affected by COVID-19 and that do not qualify for other business supports.  The main features of this new scheme will see support offered by way of two levels of flat payments:

- €2,500 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover of €20,000 - €100,000;

- €5,000 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover in excess of €100,000.

Under the scheme, businesses including musicians, singers, lighting and sound crew and audio  equipment suppliers - whether sole traders, partnerships or incorporated entities - operating exclusively within the commercial live entertainment sector will be eligible to apply. This scheme has been developed following wide consultation with the sector, including a number of meetings between department officials and the Wedding Band Association.  Administrative arrangements for this scheme are being finalised and it is hoped that it will open for applications in the coming weeks when the necessary IT systems are in place.

An allocation of €5 million will be made available to local authorities for live performances in summer 2021 to animate town centres, should public health considerations permit.  This will allow for the procurement by local authorities of performances by local performers.  Performances can be recorded or streamed if health restrictions prevent live events. 

€5 million will also be made available for a scheme of capital supports for the commercial live entertainment sector.

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