Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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921. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if concerns (details supplied) raised in relation to the events industry will be addressed; if further supports will be made available for freelance and self-employed workers in the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13424/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The Government has introduced a wide range of measures aimed at supporting business during the COVID-19 crisis. Among these the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment operates a number of support packages available for all businesses including the sectors referred to by the Deputy.  Measures have been developed to meet the varying needs of Irish enterprise and they are very specifically targeted by size, sector and need, and at vulnerable but viable companies.  In parallel, the Revenue Commissioners operate the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme which has been extended to 31 August, while the Department of Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands operates the Pandemic Unemployment Payment extended until 10 August.  These supports are available to businesses and workers in the events industry and in the school transport system.Full details on these COVID-19 supports are available at the following links

My Department  has responsibility for initiatives specific to the tourism sector and events and festivals. To this end,  a Tourism Recovery Taskforce was set up  to prepare a Tourism Recovery Plan which will include a set of recommendations on how best the Irish tourism sector can adapt and recover in the changed tourism environment as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. The plan will identify priority aims, key enablers and market opportunities for the sector for the period 2020-2023.  Full details including updates may be accessed at this link

There are also two jobseekers benefit schemes are in place for the self-employed as well as the Social Welfare Scheme for Self-Employed Artists. The latter scheme recognises the unique creative circumstances of artists in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance and gives them special assistance in their first year out of work, allowing them to focus on their creative output. Further detail of these schemes can be accessed at the following link  

On 16 June a significant investment of €25 million in Arts and Culture in 2020 was announced byGovernment  to help the Arts and Culture sector recover from the Covid19 Emergency in 2020.  The funding will include bursaries and commissions to artists and arts organisations, and resources for museums and culture workers as they prepare for the re-opening of society. This is additional to funding previously allocated to the sector.

A total of €20 million will be allocated to the Arts Council bringing its allocation this year to €100 million.  A further €5 million will be available for other measures, including securing the future of key cultural and museum spaces and facilities throughout Ireland, and the production of high-quality digital art and on-line performances.

Also on 16 June, it was announced that the Department of an Taoiseach and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht would convene a meeting of relevant representatives from the public and private sector to discuss how to protect and sustain the arts and culture sector through the Covid19 recovery and beyond, recognising that the issues faced by venues as well as artists in an era where mass gatherings are restricted, are unique and will be problematic for quite some time.  That process of engagement is now underway.