Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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21. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the results of the pilot scheme for live entertainment; the number of performances, artists and crew that will be supported; if further schemes will follow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37410/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Earlier in the month I announced the recipients of a pilot Live Performance Support Scheme to assist commercial venues, producers and promoters to plan live performances across the country over the coming months, with a total of 59 organisations benefitting from the scheme. The main objective of the scheme is to provide employment opportunities in the live performance sector while also complying with public health protection measures.  Grants ranged from €10,000 to €400,000. The funds will support a variety of live events planned including concerts, pantomimes, theatre productions, festivals, outdoor performances and comedy events.

The scheme was heavily oversubscribed with over 100 applications seeking funding of over €16m for events which would be staged in the lead up to and during the 2020 festive period.   

This was a pilot scheme and it was the first of its kind which was developed following consultation with the sector.  The operation of this scheme will inform any future similar schemes. The Department is engaging with successful and unsuccessful applicants to assess the operation of the scheme in 2020 with a view to informing future schemes.  It is expected that a scheme of this kind will be provided in 2021 as part of a suite of measures to be funded from the €50 million announced as part of Budget 2021.  

The Press Release listing all the recipients including further details  can be viewed on my Department's website.