Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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525. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to include the summer camp sector in the events sector scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40016/21]

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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539. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if summer and other camps for children will be added to the events sector for financial support in the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40464/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 525 and 539 together.

I recently announced details of a new €11.5 million Events Sector Covid Support Scheme (ESCSS). This scheme will target SMEs in the events sector which aren’t eligible for the CRSS and for whom the Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme and the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID-19 will not make a significant contribution to fixed costs relative to the level of support that would be available under CRSS, had such SMEs been eligible for that support. Grants will be paid on a once-off basis to successful applicants as a contribution to the businesses costs, up to a maximum of €50,000.

This scheme will be open to those SMEs who provide services to the events industry including services to provide for the production of all forms of live performance, trade shows, including event promoters, event management, conference organisers, security, supply of sound, lighting and stage equipment. Businesses whether sole traders, partnerships or incorporated entities operating within the events sector and who are ineligible for CRSS may apply.

Businesses providing summer and other camp services may wish to examine the eligibility criteria and guidelines for this scheme to determine if their individual businesses fall within the scope of this scheme.

This scheme will open for applications on 4th August, via an online application portal on my Department’s website. Further information in relation to this scheme can be accessed on my Department’s website here - www.gov.ie/en/publication/7f483-guidelines-for-the-events-sector-covid-support-scheme/.