Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2021
256. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the breakdown of the way the €50 million allocated for live performance (details supplied) in budget 2021 was spent, in tabular form; and the amount actually spent or drawn down under each scheme or funding stream as of September 2021. [48262/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am acutely aware of the devastating impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the arts/culture and live entertainment sectors. I have engaged with numerous stakeholders in the sector during the course of the pandemic to ensure that appropriate supports were put in place.
To support the industry through this difficult period I have to date allocated funding for a suite of measures designed to sustain and support live performance and employment opportunities in the sector, including the following schemes detailed in the table below.
|
Scheme |
Allocation |
|
|
Live Performance Support Scheme 2021 (LPSS2021) |
€25m |
238 successful applications have been allocated grants under this scheme. This fund has been fully allocated. |
|
Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS I, II & MEBAS Phase 2) |
€4m |
780 applications have been approved to date for MEBAS I & II, with almost €2m issued in payments. MEBAS Phase 2 is now open for applications, with a fund of €2m available. Previous recipients of MEBAS are also eligible to apply under MEBAS Phase 2. |
|
Event Sector Covid Support Scheme (€11.5m of which was funded via transfer from D/ETE) & ESCSS Phase 2 |
€16.5m |
Over 300 applications have been approved to date with almost €10.5m issued in payments. ESCSS Phase 2 will open for applications on 7th October with a fund of €5m available. Previous recipients of ESCSS will also be eligible to apply under ESCSS Phase 2. |
|
Local Live Performance Programming Scheme (LLPPS) |
€5m |
This fund has been fully allocated, with grants awarded to all 31 local authorities. |
|
Commercial Entertainment Capital Grant Scheme |
€5m |
This scheme will open for applications on 14th October as a targeted support for commercial businesses operating from a premises in the arts, music and entertainment sector which have been significantly negatively impacted by COVID-19 restrictions. Grants will be paid to successful applicants as a contribution to capital costs associated with reopening after closures due to the pandemic. |
|
Patrick's Day Festival |
€1m |
€1 million was allocated to the St Patrick's Festival 2021 for programming, supporting over 3,500 days of employment for performers, producers, artists, technicians, creatives and support staff. This fund has been allocated in full. |
