Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 December 2021
75. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide clarity on the LPSS 2021: Strand II criteria; if a panto has to have a turnover of €100,000 in one year per annum, or over the period indicated in the guidelines of 2019 – 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62021/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 8th December 2021 I announced adjustments to the Live Performance Support Scheme – Strand II for pantomimes and seasonal productions to respond to the additional COVID-19 restrictions announced after the scheme opened. The published Guidelines now reflect those changes.
The key changes to the scheme from the original Guidelines as published on 24th November 2021 are:
- The minimum turnover requirement is reduced to €100,000 from €300,000 to facilitate more commercial productions to submit applications;
- An Increase of the fund available from €2m to €5m;
- The application window has been extended to 31st January 2022.
- This scheme will now encompass relevant eligible production costs from November 2021 to the end of January 2022.
In order to be eligible for the scheme a business must have VAT-exclusive turnover of €100,000 or above as a result of seasonal musical theatre/pantomime for at least two of the past 3 years (2018-2020) in order to be considered. I can confirm that the reduced minimum turnover requirement of €100,000 refers to each of the previous years being outlined in the application.
Each applicant is requested for details in relation to 2 of the 3 years 2018 - 2020, rather than for 2 specified years, to provide flexibility and for those productions to select 2 years that best demonstrate the eligibility criteria for their application.
