Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Earlier this month, I published the Life Worth Living – Oversight Group Implementation Progress Reportthat gives a detailed account of the progress in implementing the recommendations of the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce.  The Report covers the period up to and including December 2021.  It is available at this link: www.gov.ie/en/news/e7f78-latest-updates-from-the-arts-and-culture-recovery-taskforce/ .

Recommendation No 9 of the Report has been implemented through the Outdoor Public Space Schemeand the Commercial Entertainment Capital Grant Scheme.

The Outdoor Public Space Scheme was introduced to help local authorities open up and create public spaces and facilities dedicated to the arts, culture and festivals. The scheme was developed in consultation with the County and City Management Association and with input from Fáilte Ireland.

Projects must demonstrate how they will support the night-time economy. Each local authority can apply for up to €250,000.  To date, 18 local authorities have been awarded funding of more than €4.4 million.  Local authorities are encouraged to prioritise place-making projects that support cultural endeavour and enable safe social activity. Private businesses with large spaces/buildings will be incentivised to invest in the creative activation of these spaces for public enjoyment.

Under the Commercial Entertainment Capital Grant Scheme, a total of 88 grants of up to €25,000 each have been awarded to venues, performance facilities and private sector classes throughout the country for Covid adaptation improvements, including ventilation. These grants were paid out last month.

In addition, as part of the Government's €50m package of supports for the live entertainment sector which I announced in December, there is a further €5m available in capital funding this year for adaptation grants for commercial venues.