Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

315. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide the minutes of the meeting held between her Department and representatives of the events industry on 2 September 2020; if the application process for the live performance support scheme was discussed at this meeting; if those in attendance were given the opportunity to shape the application process; and the steps taken to ensure those in attendance were not given an added advantage in seeking and obtaining funding under the scheme compared to others not at the meeting. [37979/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I attach the minutes of a meeting in September 2020 between myself, officials in my Department and representatives from the EIA (Events Industry Alliance). 

At the meeting I noted the concerns expressed and thanked the members of the Alliance for its ongoing input and engagement with officials.  I also invited the Alliance to put forward a nominee to participate in the Arts and Culture Recovery Task Force which was due to be set up.

While the LPSS is not referred to in the minutes of the meeting, I am sure that I would have mentioned my intention to identify suitable supports for the arts, culture and live entertainment sectors.  My officials and I have been engaged in regular, ongoing communication with a wide range of stakeholders since the start of the pandemic and the information from these meetings has been invaluable in helping my Department frame the response to the crisis on the sectors for which I have responsibility.I am satisfied however that no group or individual benefitted from stakeholder engagement prior to any scheme being launched to the broader public. 

Minister’s meeting with Events Industry Alliance

2 September 2020 at 5.30 pm

Note of meeting

Attendance:-

Events Industry Alliance

Brian Spollen (MCD)

Justin Green (MCD & EPIC)

Katherine Mason (EIA)

Matt McGranaghan (MEAI)

Mike Adamson (Live Nation)

Shane Dunne (EPIC)

Department of TCAGSM

Katherine Licken

Conor Falvey

Mary Nash

Juno McEnroe

The Events Industry Alliance is composed of

- EPIC - Event Production Industry COVID-19 Working Group –

- AOIFE - Association of Irish Festivals & Events

- EIAI - Event Industry Association of Ireland

- MEAI - Music & Entertainment Association of Ireland);

- ISG - Irish Showman’s Guild

- IIHF - Irish Inflatables Hirers Federation

- EII - Event Industry Ireland

- EIST - Entertainers Ireland Stand Together

The representatives of EIA engaged in a wide ranging discussion on the impacts of the COVID-19 restrictions on their sectors, the Government’s response and the concerns for the future in terms of opportunities for a re-opening. The Minister noted the concerns expressed and thanked the members of the Alliance for its ongoing input and engagement with officials.

The Minister also invited the Alliance to put forward a nominee to participate in the Arts and Culture Recovery Task Force which will be set up in the coming weeks.