Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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137. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to introduce specific grants and supports for the live events section of the economy (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25985/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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In Budget 2021, the Government announced the provision of support for live entertainment in the amount of €50m. This will include measures for the commercial entertainment sector and will support live entertainment in across the country. This will build on the pilot live performance scheme in 2020 which was introduced as part of the July Stimulus. It will also see support for activities at community level leading to greater work opportunities for crew and venue workers nationwide. There will be further supports for music, building on the phenomenal demand for support under the July stimulus Music Scheme operated by First Music Contact. A scheme of capital grants for equipment will also operate in 2021. Combined with measures announced by the Minister for Finance, this will provide additional supports to a sector severely impacted by COVID-19.

Officials in my Department will engage with the sector on the detail of how these new supports will operate, and I hope also to announce the recipients of the pilot scheme shortly.