Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 24 November 2021

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media

Key Priorities and Legislation of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media: Discussion

Photo of Catherine MartinCatherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. We are all very much aware of the serious impact the pandemic has had on the live performance sector, our musicians and artists. My Department engages on an ongoing basis with a wide range of stakeholders across the sector, with a view to understanding the pressures that are faced and to ensure that the supports meet the needs of the sector. In 2021, I allocated more than €60 million to support the sector and drive employment opportunities. I also introduced €25 million for the live performance support scheme, €16.5 million for the events sector Covid support scheme, €10 million for the local live performance support scheme, €4 million for the music and entertainment support scheme, €5 million for the commercial entertainment capital grant scheme and €1 million for the St. Patrick's Festival.

In budget 2022, I allocated €25 million for the live entertainment sector. I have maintained the Arts Council allocation at a record level of €130 million. This allocation will allow the Arts Council to continue to protect the jobs and livelihoods of artists and to assist arts organisations through financial difficulties.

My Department will continue to receive feedback on evolving challenges facing the sector. It is on foot of these engagements that the significant supports have been provided. Further funding is available in the recently secured budget. We have continued to engage with the sector on how the supports can be better tailored to meet the needs. The engagement will continue in the coming weeks with a view to opening the supports for applications as soon as possible. If it is the case that these supports are exhausted in 2022 and the pandemic continues to impact on the sectors, we will review the situation.

In terms of the social welfare supports, the Department of Social Protection stands ready to provide support to those impacted in the short term. To date, the Government has responded appropriately and has paid out more than €8.9 billion through the PUP and a similar amount via the EWSS. The Government has not been found wanting. I assure the Deputy that we are monitoring the situation closely. The position remains under review. We will take the appropriate measures to support people, if and when required.

I also remind the Deputy that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, clearly signalled in his budget speech that he and the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, are holding approximately €4 billion of the Covid provision as a contingent reserve in order that we can adapt if faced with the unexpected. Should further measures be warranted to support the sector, I will talk to those Ministers.

Regarding the query relating to Wexford, I will revert to the Deputy with more detail on the position in that regard. Wexford is very important from a cultural perspective, not least because of the Opera House and the opera festival. I will revert to the Deputy on the Dun Mhuire Theatre.

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