A new support scheme for live entertainment businesses impacted by Covid-19 has been launched today.

The Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS) was launched by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin.

The scheme is one of the measures announced yesterday as part of the government's National Recovery and Resilience Plan for Ireland.

Through the scheme, €14 million has been allocated for businesses in the live entertainment sector that have been negatively affected by lockdown restrictions and who are not eligible for other business supports such as the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme or the Small Business Assistance Scheme for Covid.

“I am very pleased to open the Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme for applications from businesses," Minister Martin said today. This scheme is part of a €50 million suite of supports for those working in the live entertainment sector. This funding of €14 million will provide much needed support to those in the live performance sector that do not qualify for other business supports.”

The applications process for MEBAS will be open for online applications from June 9th until July 7th 2021.

📢musicians, singers, bands, wedding bands
📢sound, lighting, audio engineers
📢stage managers, technicians
📢event suppliers, DJs

The €14M Music & Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme will open for applications June 9th. Details here:https://t.co/0smeUOGaBg

— Catherine Martin TD (@cathmartingreen) June 2, 2021

The scheme offers a one-off payment on a tiered system based on a businesses VAT-exclusive turnover and business costs.

Sole traders, partnerships or incorporated entities operating as a business exclusively within the live entertainment industry will eligible to apply, along with musicians, singers, DJs, sound, lighting and audio engineers, stage managers and technicians and equipment suppliers.

Businesses that avail of the scheme must intend to return to work fully as soon as government restrictions allow.

The applications process will open from June 9th and can be found here. More information on how and when to apply, eligibility and how the grant will be paid, can also be found here.