Support package worth €50m announced for struggling live performance sector

The Cork Opera House panto. Picture: John Allen

A €50m supports package has been announced for the live performance sector following the reintroduction of Covid-19 restrictions on the industry.

It includes money for pantomimes and other seasonal shows, as well as grants to adapt venues and supports for the wider live performance sector, following mass cancellations in the sector.

The latest Covid-19 restrictions, effective from this week, saw the closure of nightclubs and the imposition of 50% capacity limits on venues. 

Catherine Martin, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media today announced €50m to support the live performance sector.

It includes:

• €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 December 17th. 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 Patricks Festival 2022.

The minister is examining how further supports can be provided to the sector.

She said, "The live entertainment sector has been asked to shoulder a heavy burden with these new restrictions. This is not where we wanted to be but the epidemiological situation is such that we must try to reduce socialisation to manage Covid-19 case numbers over the coming weeks. I know audiences are still seeking live performance experiences after venues were closed for so long and I do not want to see stages going dark in the coming weeks."

Just announced - new supports for live performance:

🟢€5m- seasonal musical theatre/panto
🟢min. €34m- Live Performance Support Schemes
🟢€5m- adaptation grants for live venues
🟢€1m- St Patrick's Festival 2022
🟢€5m- Local Authorities to support artists/performance

— Catherine Martin (@cathmartingreen) December 8, 2021

Earlier, the Tánaiste had said a backdated Covid support package for the sector would be signed off this evening.

Mr Varadkar said: "We'd expect to have a proposal this evening and to be able to make a decision this evening or tomorrow." Photo: Stephen Collins /Collins Photos

Speaking in Drogheda, Co Louth, Leo Varadkar said he had been in contact with Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe this morning about the scheme.

"We are trying to get it right. There is a Government decision made already that allows a degree of flexibility around the things that businesses are concerned about, which is the cap, for example, and the turnover rule.

"So we just want to make sure we get it right so that we are able to target the financial support to those companies that need it the most and that is those in the hospitality the events and arts sector."

Mr Varadkar has promised that even if payments are delayed, they will be backdated to when the latest Covid measures were announced.

"Any inconvenience or loss will be a matter of time not a matter of money. We will backdate to the date on which the restrictions were imposed," Mr Varadkar said.