Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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54. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the provisions in place to support dance classes, variety groups and stage schools during level 5 restrictions. [15980/21]

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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55. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if communication has taken place with an organisation (details supplied) on provisions for dance classes and stage schools; if so, the outcome; and, if not, if she will speak to the organisation about these matters. [15984/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 55 together.

The revised plan for managing the virus COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 - The Path Ahead sets out information on the staggered start of easing of other areas of restriction with a focus on outdoor activities including sport.  For guidance purposes dance has been included under sports under the different levels of the Plan.  This is of course dependent on whether the transmission of the virus reaches acceptable levels, the vaccination programme progresses as planned and public health advice allows.  Further details of the plan can be accessed at this link:

The Government's clear message at the present time is for people to stay in their homes, unless necessary for those essential reasons set out in the public health regulations. The current public health advice is that it is too early to say how and when other restrictions should be eased given current uncertainties. Government will meet in advance of the 5th of April to review the level of restrictions.

While my Department has not been in communication with the organisation referred to by the Deputy, I am acutely aware of the challenges facing those who rely on these activities to sustain their livelihoods on foot of necessary public health restrictions.  The Government has put in place a comprehensive package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates. Budget 2021 also provided a significant package of tax and expenditure measures to build the resilience of the economy and to help vulnerable but viable businesses across all sectors.

With regards to  those organisations that do not qualify for the weekly CRSS grant from the Revenue Commissioners or existing sectoral schemes in areas such as the arts, transport and tourism, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment recently announced details of the  Small Business Assistance Scheme (SBASC).  The aim of this scheme is to provide grants to businesses ineligible for the Government’s other existing schemes such as CRSS and is designed to help with fixed costs. Wholesalers, suppliers, caterers down 75% or more in turnover and in receipt of a rates bill may benefit, including those that commenced after the 1st November 2019 where their turnover is below projections. Full details of these wide range of supports available are on the gov.ie website as follows:

I recently announced a new €50 million suite of additional measures to further support those in the Live Entertainment Sector. As part of this suite, an allocation of €25 million is being made available under the Live Performance Support Scheme 2021. This scheme builds on the successful outcomes of the pilot Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS) in 2020, which provided thousands of days of employment to hundreds of musicians, actors, crew and technicians in tandem with a pipeline of high quality on-line much needed entertainment for Irish audiences.

The 2021 scheme is aimed at supporting employment and wellbeing opportunities across all genres and the continued production of high quality artistic output for the public. This scheme has been developed following consultation with the sector and will be managed directly by my Department. The Live Performance Support Scheme 2021 has been opened for applications since 19 March 2021

Further details of this scheme and other support measure for those in the live entertainment industry can be found on my Department's website at the following link: