Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2021
219. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to provide guidance to the live entertainment sector in circumstances in which further Covid-19 restrictions could result in the cancellation of performances and events during the Christmas period (details supplied) in which businesses and event organisers have already made significant financial investment. [58382/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraLive entertainment reopened in October and as recently as that Government had been planning for events to be able to run at 100% capacity, with no expectation of a need for further restrictions. However, as the Deputy will be aware, the situation has deteriorated in the meantime, with the epidemiological conditions such that the advice is that parents assess overall levels of socialisation of their children and to prioritise accordingly in line with the advice to adults to reduce contacts.
I am very conscious that this is having a detrimental impact on consumer confidence and ticket sales across the sector. Just last week I announced €2m in funding to support large-scale seasonal musical theatre and pantomimes. This funding is part of the Live Performance Support Scheme which was developed to assist the live performance sector to create employment opportunities in 2021 for artists, performers, technicians and support staff.
The Government is committed to continuing supports for those sectors which continue to be impacted by the pandemic and we will continue to be agile in this regard. I am currently examining the supports required for 2022 in conjunction with stakeholders, in order to stabilise the sector and to help underpin the recovery of those businesses in 2022.
In relation to the guidance prepared by my Department for the live entertainment sector, this is a living document and is updated in the event of any changes in public health advice.
