I propose to take Questions Nos. 414 and 417 together.
As part of suite of measures to support the live entertainment sector, I allocated €25m to the Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS 2021). I was delighted to be in a position to fund 237 successful applications under this scheme, the details of which are available on my Department’s website. The grants awarded are helping support employment and wellbeing opportunities across all genres and the continued production of high quality artistic output for the public.
The key objectives of the scheme included the provision of employment opportunities both for artists and crews to ensure ongoing cultural activity in non-subsidised venues. LPSS 2021 is currently supporting events across the entire country, with live performances and events happening in every county.
Once this scheme concludes, all grantees will be required to complete a questionnaire which will collect relevant data including:
- employment days generated;
- production costs, and;
- artistic output.
This data will be collated and used to underpin an evaluation of the scheme which will assist in the planning of future supports for the sector.