Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her response. What I am hearing from venues in west Cork is that there is an interconnected importance between the amounts being received and the timing. Crucially, there is a misalignment between the demands of the sector and the manner in which the Department operates. When I raised this issue last May, there were also cases of venues not receiving funding they were promised for pantomimes in December. Venues have to plan months in advance. Any schemes designed to buffer against uncertainty and additional costs need to reflect that reality. This not only affects the venues but performers, crews and equipment providers. There are knock-on effects for so many people. The delay in the allocation of promised funding is itself an additional source of stress and frustration. People in the sector need to have this funding in their bank accounts as soon as possible.

Will the Minister also clarify whether there is a date by which the live performance restart grant schemes have to be spent? I think it was originally cited as June, which is obviously unfeasible at this stage.

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