Minister Martin announces supports package of €50m for the Live Performance Sector

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Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin has recently announced a support package of €50 million for the live performance sector.

The supports are in response to the introduction of new restrictions on live performance capacities. The supports announced today for the sector include:

  • €5m for the seasonal musical theatre and pantomime scheme (LPSS 2), funding will increase from €2m to €5m and the turnover requirement is being reduced to €100,000 from €300,000 with applications being accepted until the end of January 2022. This scheme is now open for applications
  • €20m for another strand of the Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS 3), specifically to support performances in December and January which may need to be cancelled, curtailed or rescheduled. This scheme will open for applications on Friday 17 December. Venues, including nightclubs that stage live performances, producers and promoters can apply for up to 50% of their eligible costs
  • a minimum of €14m for another strand of the Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS 4), to support performances being staged from February 2022 to June 2022. This scheme will open in January 2022. If further funds are required the Minister will seek additional funding from the Covid Contingency Fund
  • €5m for Local Authorities to support local artists and performances through the LLPSS (Local Live Performance Support Scheme). This will include funding for community and local pantomimes
  • €5m to continue the capital supports scheme (CECGS) to venues, including for ventilation upgrades and other COVID adaptations
  • €1m for the Saint Patrick’s Festival 2022

The Minister is examining how further supports can be provided to the broader events sector. A further extension of the Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS) which supports businesses in the music sector will be announced in January. This scheme has provided grant support to businesses to cover costs up to the end of December.

Further details on all of the schemes, including guidelines and information on the application process, will be made available on the department’s website shortly.

For further information, please see the press release of www.gov.ie.