Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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259. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason applications to the live performance support scheme from companies that host bingo are being rejected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33158/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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As part of the €50 million suite of supports for the live entertainment sector, I recently announced 237 grant allocations under the €25m Live Performance Support Scheme. This scheme aims to assist commercial venues, producers and promoters to plan live performances across the country over the summer months, supporting employment and well-being opportunities across all genres and the continued production of high quality artistic output for the public.

There was a high level of interest in this scheme, with over 400 imaginative and diverse applications submitted requesting funding of over €80m, given the available funding of €25 million, difficult decisions had to be made and it was not be possible to award grants to everyone who applied. I acknowledge and appreciate the work and effort that went into preparing these applications, however given the volume of applications received, it was not possible to allocate funding to all eligible applicants.

Recipients of this funding range from small to large venues, producers and promoters, supporting live events in every county, including festivals, concerts, theatre productions, comedy and outdoor events.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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260. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a response will issue to correspondence (details supplied) and it will be ensured the appropriate officials will provide direct assistance to the organisation in respect of its application under the live performance support scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33272/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I allocated €50 million in 2021 to a suite of measures to assist the arts and culture sector. As part of that funding, on Tuesday June 15th I announced the allocations for the €25m Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS 2021). 

I was delighted to be in a position to fund 237 successful applications under this scheme, the details of which are available on my Department’s website. There was a very high level of interest in this scheme, with over 400 applications requesting funding in excess of €80 million. Given the available funding of €25 million, difficult decisions had to be made and it was not be possible to award grants to everyone who applied.

The 237 grants awarded will help support employment and well-being opportunities across all genres and the continued production of high quality artistic output for the public.

Officials in my Department are engaging with the applicant to which the Deputy refers in relation to the outcome of their Live Performance Support Scheme application and they will review the status of the application shortly.