Ms Angela Dorgan:

I can answer some of the Deputy's questions. I agree with him and will ask the National Public Health Emergency Team, NPHET, the exact same questions. I am sure many galleries and so on will as well. Why can the National Gallery of Ireland not open if Zara is open? Those questions are repeated over and over. We in the arts sector really appreciate that NPHET and the Department of Health have decisions to make. Nobody in the arts sector wants to put public health in danger.

Other organisations represent events companies. A number of organisations represent technical personnel. One such organisation, the Event Production Industry Covid-19 Working Group, EPIC, appeared before the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response with us. I understand that much of the €50 million announced in yesterday's budget is for that sector - the venues, the lighting and sound engineers, and the people who make their living in that previously commercial part of the sector. There is quite a substantial number of such people. The music industry stimulus package is also aimed at the commercial musicians who found themselves outside the scope of Arts Council or local arts office funding so I believe they are allowed for.

On a very brief reading yesterday, I saw some great SME supports of which many of those lighting and technical companies with overheads can avail. They will now get local rates reductions and freezes, for which the local authorities will be reimbursed. The employee wage subsidy scheme has been extended to the end of next year and a new scheme whereby companies that can show their VAT returns and income for this time last year can apply for up to €5,000 to support and retain their staff. Many of the small businesses in the broader entertainment sector were quite happy with what was achieved in yesterday's budget. With that extra €50 million, that sector got as much of an increase as the Arts Council did. The schemes are designed so that the money will make its way directly out to the exact people about whom the Deputy is talking.