Date: 13 January 2021
Following a funding announcement this week from his Green Party colleague, Minister Catherine Martin, Deputy Matthews highlighted the €14 million ringfenced for grants for businesses who operate in the live entertainment that have been unable to qualify for other Government supports.
The main features of this new Music Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS) will see support offered by way of two levels of flat payments:
€2,500 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover of €20,000 - €100,000;
€5,000 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover in excess of €100,000
Discussing the announcement, Deputy Matthews said:
“I’ve been working with groups representing musicians, sound engineers and stage companies since the start of the pandemic and unfortunately, while they have qualified for individual supports such as the PUP payment, it has been the case that many have fallen through the cracks in terms of other business supports. In fairness to the various Departments involved, there was no intent in leaving these groups out but for various reasons, it seemed to be the case that many companies involved in live entertainment were unable to qualify.
“The impact that this pandemic has had on live entertainment and those who rely on events and shows for a living has been unprecedented.
As a further support measure for those in the live music entertainment industry, the Minister is announcing funding of up to €14m for a new scheme to make a contribution to the overheads of businesses that have been significantly negatively affected by COVID-19 and that do not qualify for other business supports.
Self-employed businesses whether sole traders, partnerships and incorporated entities operating exclusively within the commercial live entertainment sector are eligible to apply. The scheme is expected to open next month.
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