Written answers

Tuesday, 17 November 2020

Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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334. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 489 of 3 November 2020, if the Irish tradeshow and exhibition sector will qualify for funding under the €50 million live events funding; and if so, the way in which it can apply for funding. [36449/20]

Photo of Catherine MartinCatherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The Government announced the provision of support of €50m for the live entertainment sector in Budget 2021.  This will include measures for the commercial entertainment sector and will support live entertainment across the country. My Department is engaging with stakeholders to seek their input into the roll-out of the 2021 supports for the live entertainment sector. These supports will also be informed by the pilot Live Performance Support Scheme in 2020 which is active now. The purpose of this funding is to support performers, technical staff, crew other support staff who have been severely impacted by the current public health crisis. Service providers in this sector may also provide services to the subsidised arts sector on occasion and accordingly may also benefit from the increased allocation to the Arts Council of €130 million in 2021.

I stated in previous PQ replies that the tradeshow and exhibition sector would not generally be eligible for live entertainment supports from my Department as this will be targeted at live entertainment  sector.  The  Government has in place a range of supports for commercial enterprises impacted by COVID-19.  These include the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, exemptions from commercial rates, the warehousing of tax liabilities, the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme, and a reduction in VAT on ticket sales. In addition, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is available to all employees and the self-employed who have lost their job due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  There are also a range of loans, grants, vouchers and schemes available including the  COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme which offers loans  from €10,000 to €1 million, for terms of up to five and a half years, and COVID-19 Business Loans of up to €25,000 which are available through Microfinance Ireland with zero repayments and zero interest for the first 6 months and the equivalent of an additional 6 months interest-free subject to certain terms and conditions. Details of all of these supports are available at  .

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