To ask the Minister for Communities (i) for her assessment of the financial hardship faced by musicians and DJs unable to perform due to COVID-19 restrictions on live music; and (ii) what financial support she will provide to help alleviate the hardship.

I recognise the enormous challenges that are being faced across the arts sector as we seek to tackle COVID-19. Restrictions on gatherings and the need for social distancing have had enormous impacts on practice, performance and the development of talent, and on the financial position of individuals and organisations across the arts and the wider creative and heritage sectors.

The Culture, Arts & Heritage Taskforce which I recently established will advise on, among other things, how the individuals and organisations impacted by the restrictions in those sectors might be supported while the restrictions continue and as they ease.

The Executive has also put in place a number of schemes to provide financial support to individuals and businesses impacted by the current restrictions. Self-employed musicians and DJs can also avail of the range of advice and potential support that is on offer. Information is available at

Information is available at: https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/business-support/coronavirus.