Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise an issue that was actually raised in a Commencement matter earlier by Senators Malcolm Byrne and Cummins. It is about supports for the pantomime and theatre industry following the announcement on Friday. A significant number of these groups are already booked out for the Christmas period and into January. A concert organised by Longford County Council under the live and local fund took place last night.Tickets had to be returned to people to make sure that the 50% limit was reached. Many pantos are run by voluntary organisations. A fund relating to operating costs was brought in a number of weeks ago but the minimum cost had to be €150,000, which only relates to professional productions. The vast majority of productions are run by local people, including a production in my home town. Longford Traditional Panto has organised a production of Snow Whitethis year and the people involved are Paul and Tracey and their Evolution Stage School. The first panto in the county of Longford was in 2019 and that production was sold out for its ten nights and was attended by 4,500 people. I am involved on the county tourism committee, which sponsors the panto as it is a significant event in the town of Longford and brings people in from around the midlands. The reality is that these groups cannot be sustained. The scheme that was put in place must be extended to cover all groups and theatres over the next four-week period.

I bought tickets to the panto for myself and my children. I was looking forward to going but I do not know whether I will get there now. The organisers are looking to add extra dates to accommodate people or they will have to refund tickets. I ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to encompass all groups in the funding.