Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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69. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the supports available for individuals and companies in the live music sector that do not operate from a specific premises but tour, play in venues, hotels, weddings and at festivals, all of which have collapsed due to Covid-19 following the recent report of the Arts and Culture Recovery Task Force (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39080/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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It has been widely acknowledged that the impact of COVID-19 on the live performance sector including live music, has been more detrimental and will last longer than in nearly any other sector. To help the sector, I recently announced funding allocations under the (1) "Music Industry Stimulus Package" and (2) "Live Performance Support Scheme" which resulted in:

1. 184 musicians/bands are being awarded a total of €896,000 to assist them to record singles, EPs and albums. This support covers a wide range of music genres including rock, indie, jazz, trad, folk, country, classical and electronic. There were over 1,400 applications for recording support, which reflects the high demand for support as well as being an indication of the vibrancy of the music sector in Ireland. The total funding for the 2020 Music Industry Stimulus Package of €1.7 million is supporting 79 song writing camps and 56 new album releases as well as the 184 recording awards announced.

2. Over €5 million in funding 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 this pilot scheme is to provide employment opportunities in this uncertain time and allow commercial organisers of live performances to commence preparations immediately and productions to go ahead with either a live audience or to share content through streaming.

The Government will also provide support for live entertainment in the amount of €50 million in 2021. This will include measures for the commercial entertainment sector, and will support live entertainment in venues across the country, building on the stimulus measures announced in July. This funding will also support:

- Work opportunities for musicians, artists, crew and venue workers nationwide.

- 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.