Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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1109. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if grant funding will be made available to performers and musicians for technical equipment to facilitate livestreaming and video editing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8186/20]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The COVID-19 crisis gives rise to many challenges for the nation as a whole and is having an unprecedented impact on the on the arts, culture, heritage and Gaeltacht sectors. As part of its suite of responses to the COVID-19 situation, the Government issued guidance on returning to the workplace on 9th May. The 'Return to Work Safely Protocol' clearly and comprehensively sets out the steps and processes that businesses must take to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. It is a matter for all employers to ensure their workplaces are safe for staff and customers alike . I am very aware that the reopening of arts and culture venues will pose challenges for many of these organisations.

In the interim, many artists are making their work available through a range of online platforms. In some instances this has been with support from my Department including under the Ireland Performs programme supported by Facebook and Culture Ireland. Under this initiative, 120 artists gave live performances online in recent weeks. All of these performances were delivered using only the artists' personal devices. In light of this, while my Department is currently examining its capital grant schemes for arts and culture organisations in the context of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, supports of the type proposed are not envisaged at present.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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1110. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will reconsider in the interests of the income and welfare of the recipients, reversing her decision that the dance artist residency scheme 2020 will not go ahead; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8268/20]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I understand that the scheme to which the Deputy refers is a funding scheme operated by the Arts Council. Under Section 24 (2) of the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council is statutorily independent in its funding decisions and I as Minister cannot intervene in its decisions in this regard.

I understand that over the past few months, the Arts Council has taken decisions to direct its 2020 funding allocation in a way which would assist artists and arts organisations to best respond to the Covid-19 crisis. These decisions have been taken on the back of extensive and ongoing consultation with the arts sector and other stakeholders. Priority in the use of all funds is being given towards supporting the artists and arts workers.

The Council has announced a new suite of programmes which include expanded bursary, commission and professional development awards designed to sustain the ecology at this difficult time, while also offering support which enables artists to develop work and supports arts workers to enhance their skill sets. I understand that the Arts Council had already agreed to progress residences with Colleges of Education and with writer in residence programmes in a number of universities.

The Arts Council responded quickly to the impact of COVID-19 on the arts sector. At the start of the COVID-19 emergency, the Council introduced a series of measures to help artists and arts organisations manage their businesses during the period of the COVID-19 crisis. The Council announced that it would honour all existing funding commitments and asked in particular that its regularly funded arts organisation prioritise commitments to artists. Since March 12th the Arts Council has fast-tracked the payment of up to 90% of funding to organisations and individuals. The Arts Council also announced that there will be no financial penalties for arts organisations and individuals unable to deliver programmed events and activities arising from the impact of the COVID-19 crisis.

The Government has provided income supports for people who have lost employment as a result of the restrictions put in place to prevent the spread of the corona virus. My colleague the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection is responsible for the COVID 19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment. This payment paid by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, is available to employees and self-employed. To receive the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, a person must be aged between 18 and 66 years, resident in the State and have been in employment up to March 2020. Self-employed people who have experienced a collapse of their income, and are available to take up other full-time work if it was available, also qualify. Further detail on this emergency payment and the full range of income supports available to people is available on www.gov.ie