Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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290. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the measures being taken by her Department to ensure the long-term stability of the arts and entertainment sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42891/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I am acutely aware of the devastating impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the arts/culture and live entertainment sectors.  I have engaged with numerous stakeholders in the sector during the course of the pandemic to ensure that appropriate supports were put in place.

To support the industry through this difficult period I have to date allocated €61.5m for a suite of measures designed to sustain and support the sector, including:

- €25m Live Performance Support Scheme

- €14m Music and Entertainment Business Support Scheme

- €11.5m Event Sector Covid Support Scheme (funded via transfer from D/ETE Vote)

- €5m Local Authority Performance Support Scheme

- €5m Capital Support Scheme

- €1m Patrick's Day Festival 

I committed during August to securing a reopening plan for the sector through a clear roadmap for the sustainable reopening of activities in the live entertainment, culture and arts sectors.

At its meeting on 31 August, Government agreed on the return to outdoor and indoor events at the following capacity levels and with maximum available social distancing between groups:

- Indoors – for vaccinated/recovered people and accompanying minors- 60% capacity 

- Outdoors - for vaccinated/recovered people and accompanying minors- 75% capacity 

- Outdoors - for mixed groups of vaccinated/recovered and unvaccinated people – 50% capacity.  

The announcement of dates for the lifting of restrictions is a response to a clear call from the sector. In the interim, we will see increased opportunities for live performance both indoors and outdoors from 6 September. 

Government understands that the full return of live performance will not happen overnight. I am examining the supports in place for the sector to ensure that available resources are best deployed to meet the needs of the sector.  My Department is working with the Department of Social Protection also on the impact of the changes to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment to ensure that those in the arts and entertainment sector continue to have adequate supports pending the full resumption of activity.