AQW 13591/17-22

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 28/01/2021
Answered On Date: 18/02/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy, pursuant to AQW 12695/17-22, whether she will submit a bid for Executive approval to introduce a COVID-19 business support scheme specifically for the events sector.

Answer:

Pursuant to my response to AQW 12695/17-22, issued on 22 January 2021, I have nothing further to report at this time.

To reiterate, the Executive and the UK Government have introduced a wide range of business support schemes to help ease the extraordinary burden that has been placed on entire communities and our local economy, due to the ongoing global pandemic.

To date, my Department has provided over £370 million of lifeline support to over 30,000 businesses and individuals, and is currently delivering millions of pounds to thousands more, through a range of schemes that have been developed and launched in recent times, each of which require substantial time and resources to implement.

Subject to their specific circumstances, some in events sector may have been eligible for the ‘Stability and Renewal Programme for Organisations’ delivered by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, on behalf of the Department for Communities, and which was offering grants of up to £500,000.

Whilst the Executive and my own Department continue to receive calls for specific targeted support, it is not possible to design and fund schemes for every sector of business or employment across our society.

Ultimately however, it will be for the Executive collectively to determine if any new or additional funding can be allocated to the NI Events sector.