The Commercial Entertainment Capital Grant Scheme will reopen for applications on Tuesday, 1 March 2022.

The main features of the scheme are:

+ grants will be paid to successful applicants as a contribution to the capital costs associated with re-opening after closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic

+ €5m in capital funding is available to support commercial businesses operating from a premises in the arts, music and entertainment sector

+ sole traders, partnerships or incorporated entities that operate in the arts and culture sectors with turnover of €35,000 and over in 2019 will be able to apply

In Association with

+ support will be offered by way of a payment to the value of 5% of the VAT-exclusive turnover of the arts and culture activity of the business for 2019, up to a maximum award of €25,000

In a statement, the  Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media said the  scheme will provide funding to facilitate capital works that assist organisations in reopening and continuing to operate safely.

Qualifying capital works include: installation or modification of ventilation systems; modification works to improve ventilation; modification to premises to improve the safety of staff and customers; installation of outdoor performance and audience facilities; weather protection for outdoor facilities; installation of facilities/structures that assist in crowd management or stewarding; security and health and safety equipment in accordance with the Work Safely Protocol; and staging/streaming equipment.

Recipients of grants under the scheme in 2021 may apply under this scheme for different capital costs.

The following types of businesses are not eligible for GECAS funding::

• Businesses that do not operate from a premises that is open to members of the public.

• Businesses with VAT-exclusive turnover of less than €35,000 in 2019 (only turnover in relation to activity within the arts and culture sector will be considered relevant turnover for this scheme).

• Businesses that do not intend to resume trading after Covid restrictions have been lifted.

• Retail businesses eg arts & craft shops, etc

• Registered charities, Not for Profit Organisations.

• Businesses in receipt of other public funding towards the capital costs for which the application is being made.

• Businesses in receipt of State Aid under the Temporary Framework of more than €2.3m.

This scheme is part of the €50m support package that minister Catherine Martin has made available for the Live Performance sector this year.

The minister commented: “Funding will be offered for works that support the recovery of the creative, cultural, entertainment and events sector.

“CEGAS is a targeted support for commercial businesses operating from a premises in the music, entertainment, live performance, drama and commercial classes in the arts sector. This includes, but is not limited to, cinemas, theatres, nightclubs, venues, rehearsal spaces and dance schools.”

Guidelines for CECGS 2022 are available online at gov.ie/CECGS2022

Images: Getty/Photocall