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The Government has announced in the budget a further €25 million in financial supports for the live entertainment sector, as well as a pilot basic income guarantee fund for artists that will also cost €25 million.
The €25 million for live entertainment comes on top of €50 million in supports that the sector received in the current year, although some operators have complained about delays in payment. The scheme involves the State providing grants to community groups, promoters and professional event managers who put on approved live entertainment shows.
The Government has signalled, however, that it expects the planned lifting of almost all existing public health restrictions on October 22nd to do much of the heavy lifting in terms of aiding the recovery in the live events sector, which employed 35,000 prior to the pandemic and was worth €3.5 billion to the economy, according to industry estimates.
Michael McGrath, the Minister for Public Expenditure, referenced the upcoming reopening date in his budget speech to the Dáil, suggesting the return to large capacities at events will “assist” the recovery of the events sector and also of tourism.
“However, I am conscious further support will be required to underpin their recovery,” he said.
The income guarantee scheme for artists, meanwhile, was a key request of the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce, which reported to Catherine Martin, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media.