To ask the Minister for the Economy (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) to detail whether she will ensure ongoing financial support is provided until musicians and DJs can resume work as normal.

The Department for Communities (DfC) has lead responsibility for supporting the arts sector in Northern Ireland, and through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, has provided funding to support artists and performers with grants of up to £5,000 during the COVID-19 crisis.

The Department for Communities has recently established the Culture, Arts & Heritage Taskforce which 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 Taskforce can be contacted at arci@communities-ni.gov.uk.

It will be for the Executive collectively to determine how any Covid-related funding is allocated as we progress through the roadmap and the lifting of restrictions.

Musicians and DJs were both eligible for support from the Covid Restrictions Business Support Scheme: Part B. The Scheme launched on 18 November 2020 and closed to new applicants on 7 April 2021. With the recent round of funding announced by the Minister of Finance on 21 May 2021, successful applicants will continue to receive a grant for as long as they were eligible up to and including 23 May.

Those whom are self-employed in the sector and who continue to remain impacted can avail of the national Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). Details on how to apply for the 5th grant (which covers May to September) will be available by the end of June. The grant will provide 80% of 3 months trading profit (up to a maximum of £7,500) for those who have faced 30% or greater reduction in turnover and 30% of 3 months trading profit (up to a maximum of £2,850) for those businesses facing less than 30% reduction in turnover.