Arts Sector Reacts to News of Increased Funding in Budget 2021

This afternoon, in budget 2021, it was announced that there would be significant increased funding to the arts, live events and music sectors. The news has come as a great relief for artists and music industry professionals alike, who have been under immense stress and facing day-to-day uncertainty since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The budget allocates €50 million in funding for the commercial live entertainment sector, and €130 million in Arts Council funding.

On Twitter, Minister Catherine Martin said: "In #Budget2021 we recognise the vital importance of sustaining Ireland's creative communities at this challenging time."

Certainly, the measures represent a more significant recognition of the Irish music industry by an Irish Government than ever before.

In #Budget2021 we recognise the vital importance of sustaining Ireland's creative communities at this challenging time. A record €130M allocation for the Arts Council, plus a new €50M live events fund will provide many future employment opportunities in the arts https://t.co/6ZWLWAlJnw

— Catherine Martin TD (@cathmartingreen) October 13, 2020

Meanwhile, TG4 has welcomed the announcement of the news that the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media has approved additional funding of €3.5m for the Irish language channel in Budget 2021. The channel will also receive €40.7m from the exchequer in 2021.

Alan Esslemont, Director General of TG4, also noted his gratitude to Minister Catherine Martin for her support in Budget 2021: "We are extremely grateful to Minister Martin, to the Department and to the Government for this significant support in 2021. This investment by government shows the confidence it has in TG4, in the Independent Production Sector, in our audience strategy, and in our strategy for the audiovisual sector in the regions. The Board and management of TG4, together with our partners, will continue in our efforts to reimagine the role and the status of the Irish language and the Gaeltacht in Irish society. We believe that media and the arts should be central to this reimagined vision."

Also commenting on the announcement was Fis Éireann / Screen Ireland Chair Dr. Annie Doona, who said:

“I’d like to take the opportunity to thank Minister Catherine Martin T.D. for her support during what has been such a challenging time for the Irish creative screen industries. As a result of the Government’s continued and consistent support, the industry has managed to get film and television production activity back up and running safely, with financial supports in place to introduce strict health and safety protocols on set."

Screen Ireland saw €26.2 million allocated to their 2021 budget, the highest funding award ever made to Screen Ireland.

EPIC (Events Production Industry Covid-19 Working Group) provided an overview of the parts of the budget that would directly affect individuals in the industry, and said:

First glance #budget21
PUP - Occasional work up to €480 allowed without signing off. Double payment at Xmas.
SMEs - CRSS Scheme, clarity needed here. Level 3 doesn't work for many events businesses who are closed at all levels.
VAT - Reduced to 9% from 13.5%

— EPIC WORKING GROUP (@Epic2020_Group) October 13, 2020

They went on to praise Minister Catherine Martin, Minister Michael McGrath, Minister Paschal Donohoe and Táiniste Leo Varadkar, as well as other TDs and public officials for recognising the "clear and present danger to the sector" and voicing their early support for the live events community.

Credit due for these initial supports to @cathmartingreen @mmcgrathtd @Paschald @LeoVaradkar and also to TDs like @RBoydBarrett @seansherlocktd @COSullivanTD @1GaryGannon who saw the clear and present danger to the sector in the early days of Covid and were vocal in their support

— EPIC WORKING GROUP (@Epic2020_Group) October 13, 2020